Lee Bjerke, Viroqua, Wisconsin, March 24, 2017


Lee Bjerke, 93, of Viroqua, Wisconsin died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Bethel Home in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Lee was born April 20, 1923 to Oscar and Edna (Dorwin) Lewison in Viroqua, Wisconsin. She attended Viroqua High School and graduated in 1942 from Luther College with a degree in Elementary Education. Lee furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Lee was united in marriage with Arlen “Spec” Bjerke on June 16, 1945 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lansing, Iowa.

Lee was a teacher in the Lansing, Iowa and West Salem, Wisconsin school districts for 40 years. She retired from teaching in 1986.  In 1998, Lee joined the Teacher “Wall of Fame” in the West Salem School District.  She was a member of the Eastern Star-Decorah Chapter No.73., La Crosse Area Retired Educators Association (LAREA) and Wisconsin Retired Educators Association (WREA).

Lee was involved with many church related activities.  She taught Sunday school, Bible Classes, was in the Choir, and an active participate in the Ladies Circle-both in West Salem and Lansing Churches.

Lee is survived by her children, Dr. John (Nancy Bekkedal) Bjerke of Viroqua, Wisconsin and Jane (Marlin) Kitchen of Grand Ledge, Michigan; six grandchildren; Mark Kitchen, Teri Karcher, Amy Stoakes, Lisa Bjerke, Kristen Coats, Megan Bjerke; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Leaura Plummer of Johnson, Kansas, Gay Newton of Hutchinson, Kansas and LoAnn Markno of Wichita, Kansas; and two brothers, Bill Hatton of Dallas, Texas and Orvin Lewison of Viroqua, Wisconsin.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Arlen on October 21, 2000; her parents, Oscar and Edna Lewison; and one brother, George Hatton.

Visitation will be Monday, March 27, 2017 from 4-7 pm at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa with a one hour visitation before services at the church on Tuesday.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lansing, Iowa with Rev. Laura Gentry as the officiant.

Burial will follow at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery, Waterville, Iowa.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements.



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