Robert Bjerke

ROBERT BOYD BJERKE     Robert Bjerke, age 89 of Grand Forks formerly Devils Lake, passed away on Friday September 29, 2017 at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 11:00 A.M in the Amundson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery, with full military honors, in Grand Forks.  Visitation will be one hour before service time.   Robert Bjerke, a son of Anton and Gladys (Halvorson) Bjerke, was born on April 17, 1928 at Grand Forks, ND. He was reared and educated in Grand Forks. On October 3rd 1946 he entered the US Airforce. Robert was honorably discharged on March 2nd 1948. He returned to Grand Forks and attended the Union commercial College and received a degree in Accounting. In 1950, he married Phyllis Buck.  Robert began working at Robertson Lumber in Grand Forks, eventually becoming the manager. In 1957, They moved to Starkweather, ND where he continued to work at the lumber yard. He began working at the Post Office in 1965 and became postmaster for 25 years. In 1989, he retired and later they moved to Devils Lake. In 2017, they moved to Grand Forks where they have resided since.   He enjoyed painting, woodworking and traveling. Robert was a member of the Starkweather American Legion, Devils Lake VFW, Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge and the Odd Fellows. He was also a member of the Trinity Bergen Lutheran Church in Starkweather and Sharon Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. Robert was active while in the city of Starkweather and was the mayor at one time.   He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of grand Forks; daughter Barbara Bakke of Larimore; sons Boyd Bjerke and Marvin Bjerke both of Evansville, WY and many nieces and nephews.   Robert is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John, William, Marlow and Donald and a sister, Edna Halvorson.