Luverne Stanley Bjerke

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 388-2202 Luverne "Vern" Bjerke, age 87, of Mankato, died on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Hillcrest Health Care Center. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church with Rev. Patrick Patterson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Luverne was born May 25, 1927 in Albert Lea, MN to Henry and Lillian (Toft) Bjerke. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1945. Vern served in the United States Navy in WWII and Korea. He graduated from Mankato State Teacher's College with a degree in education and also received his master's degree. Vern was united in marriage to Dorothy Schulze on August 18, 1952. Vern was a teacher at Mankato High School where he taught Industrial Arts, drafting, and photography. He became the audio visual director for the Mankato Public Schools and retired in 1992. Vern enjoyed working in his wood shop, photography, and golfing. The Bjerke family members were active Charter Members of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 1962. Vern is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Mankato; son, Al Bjerke of Mankato; daughter, Julie Bjerke of North Mankato; brother-in-law, Pehr Pehrsson; nephew and nieces, Pehr, Pamela and Kirsten; and many cousins, aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Geraldine (Schulze) Pehrsson. The family wishes to extend its best regards and respect to the staff at Hillcrest Health Care Center for their loving care.