Gordon Bjork

VISITATION

10-11 a.m., Wednesday, August 1 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Central St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE

11 a.m., Wednesday, August 1 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Central St., Chippewa Falls.

Gordon William Bjork, began and ended his 77 years of life in Chippewa Falls.

He was born June 5, 1935 in Chippewa Falls to Karine (Helseth) and Oscar Bjork at 110 N. State St. and resided for the past 48 years at 513 Macomber St. in a house he built with his brother-in-law, Conrad Landsem. Some of the pine lumber came from the Kelly farm in Eagle Point and they have resided on Macomber St. since that time.

Gordon attended First Ward School and Chippewa Falls High School graduating in 1955. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1958 to December 1959. He was employed by the Canadian Pacific - Soo Line Railroad as a brakeman and conductor for over 41 years, retiring in 1997.

Gordon married Marjorie Kelly on October 14, 1961 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls. They were the proud parents of Kurt (LeAnn) of Hudson, Brad of Chippewa Falls, Shari of Minneapolis and Kelly of Chicago. He was grandfather to Reid, Cole, Ross and Brielle Bjork.

Gordy applied his diverse creative interests and talents to serve his congregation, community and country. He served as a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and assisted in the construction of the addition in 2000. He also applied his skills to the building of the first Chippewa Area Hockey Arena. He was also a member of the Soo Line Historical Society.

He had many hobbies and interests that he enjoyed with friends and family; including model railroading, woodworking, brewing beer, household pets, collecting local milk bottles and the study of World War II. He enjoyed 25 years of Canadian fishing with his sons and good friend, Jerry. For the past few years he has enjoyed playing cribbage with his pals, John, Cal and Emmett.

The family appreciates the great health care given to him during his long struggle with Parkinson's disease, diabetes and heart failure.

Including his wife and children, Gordy is survived by two brothers, James (Lorraine) and Elmer (Joanne) and two sisters, Kathleen Landsem and Helen (Wilford) Anderson all of Chippewa Falls and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John and Kenneth.

A memorial service will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 Central St., Chippewa Falls on Wednesday, August 1 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Terri Koca officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

A time to greet the family will precede the service at 10 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church and lunch will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Gordon's name to Trinity United Methodist Church, Friends of St. Josephs' Hospital or Irvine Park.

AFTERSERVICE

A memorial service for Gordon William Bjork, 77, of Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Terri Koca officiated and music was provided by organist, Barbara Sandford and vocalist, Judy Brist. Gordon's son, Kurt shared personal reflections. Burial with military rites conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council were at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls and Frankie Rineck bugled "Taps."