Selmer Howard Bjerke, 88, of Shelly, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, July 5, 2019 at Sanford Hospital, palliative care. He was born on March 18, 1931 to Melvin and Magda Bjerke in Mayville, ND at the family farm.
Selmer graduated class of 1950 from Portland, ND High School. He went to Hanson’s Mechanical Trade after high school in Fargo, ND. He then moved to Finley, ND. On February 17th 1956 he married Arlene Foss. They started their lives together in Finley. Selmer and his brother Herman started a mechanical shop in Finley where they worked for several years. Selmer and his wife Arlene moved to a farm between Shelly and Halstad where he began working for Ford Motor Co. He also farmed and had various different types of livestock on the family farm. Selmer worked for Steven and Wayne Anderson for over 27 years until his retirement. After his 1st wife passed, he remarried Doris Stene on October 29, 1983.
He enjoyed his work as a mechanic and he also had a passion for farming. Selmer enjoyed his traveling for a few years with his wife Doris and his Sister Marcella and brother-in-law Omar.
Selmer was preceded in death by his 1st wife Arlene and 2nd wife Doris; brothers, Herman and Richard; and sisters, Marcella and Arlene.
He will be greatly missed by his loving children, Howard of Kentucky, David of Fargo, Randy (Amy) of San Antonio,TX, Danny (Sheila) of Dilworth, Jeanie (Mark) Rude of Shelly, Jody (Bruce) Lee of Halstad, Dona (Marvin) Nepstad of Ada, Tami (Pat) Mooney of Hillsboro, and Scott (Tammy) Stene of Ada; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marion Brasel and Corrine Knudson;brother, Bobby (Sharon) Bjerke; as well as extended family of brother and sister-in-law’s; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1319 270th Ave., Halstad. The visitation will be held one hour prior.
Burial: 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 at St. Johns Cemetery in Hatton, ND.
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home
Ada, Minnesota
