Ronald Bjerke

Ronald Bjerke, 82, of Westby, died Monday, September 4, 2017. Ron Bjerke, 82, of Westby passed away peacefully at his home and went to see his Lord on September 4th 2017. He was born May 17th 1935, to John Melvin and Mina (Meldahl) Bjerke in Hatton ND. Ron graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and received his Masters degree from the University of Denver. Rons love of music brought him to Westby, WI, where he was hired as the high school choral director. Ron also directed the Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church choir, where he met his wife Sue (Theige). They were married on June 11, 1961, and were happily married for 56 years. Ron was an active member of the church and community. He was a supporter of the local sports teams and enjoyed being a fan of local and state sports. Music was Rons passion. He had a strong influence on his students, many of which chose to pursue careers in music. Ron and his good friends Russel Holte, Ron Evenstad and Fritz Engh sang in a quartet for decades and entertained at many events in Westby and around the state. Ron was well known for his sense of humor and loved to tell a good Ole and Lena joke. He always enjoyed playing card games with family and friends and in his later years was the only man in the ladies bridge club. In retirement Ron and Sue took trips around the country and centered many of them around their interest in horses and horse racing. He is survived by; his wife Sue, three children; Carolyn, Jonathan and Paul: four grandchildren, Jacob Thornton, Ethan, Cooper and Anders Bjerke. He is also survived by three sisters; Mardelle Tollefson, Jean Pederson and Dorothy Skjoiten. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers; Kenneth, Orvis and James. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday Sept. 8, at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, 500 S. Main Street, Westby. Pastors Dan and Julie Wollman will co-officiate. Burial will follow at Westby Coon Prairie Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at Vosseteig Funeral Home at 708 S. Main in Westby, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. In Lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church or to the Fine Arts Foundation of the Westby Area for the Community Performing Arts Center. Online Condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.