BJORLAND, Patsy Joann

BJORLAND, ELDER, PHILLIPS, MINNICH

Posted By: Conni McDaniel Hall (email)
Date: 1/29/2020 at 07:11:24

Obituary – Patsy Joann Bjorland

​Patsy Joann Bjorland, age 83, daughter of Virgil Alex and Vina Lavinia (Elder) Phillips, was born June 7, 1936, in Kansas City, Kansas. She died on Friday, January 24, 2020, at her Lamoni, Iowa home.

​Joann grew up and attended school in Kansas City, Kansas graduating from Wyandotte High School in 1954. She obtained an associate degree from Graceland College in 1956. Following graduation, she returned to Kansas City and worked for Proctor & Gamble. It was there she met her future husband, John Edgar Minnich. They were married in 1958. The couple made their home in Iowa City, Iowa, having their first child, Susan in 1959. Later they moved to California and were blessed with their second child, John in 1962. The family then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where their third child, Elizabeth, was born in 1967. The family moved to West Des Moines, Iowa in 1971 when later Joann’s husband, John, died at 44 years of age in 1976.​

​Joann met Robert Lee “Bob” Bjorland on a successful blind “bowling” date on Halloween of 1980. Joann bowled a 200 and Bob a 130, but yet there was a second date! They were married on May 21, 1981, at the Bloomington Church in Lamoni, Iowa. They made their home in Lamoni where Bob’s three sons, Greg, Kenny, and Kirk, became part of Joann’s family, too.

​Joann was a stay at home wife and mother when her children were young. She later worked many years at the bank in Lamoni then known as Liberty Bank and Trust but now called Bank of the West. She and Bob enjoyed traveling on their motorcycle. They circled the United States over many extensive trips. Joann enjoyed playing golf and cards (she was very competitive) and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She made the most AMAZING pancakes that initiated competitions on how many could be eaten at one setting. Joann attended most every sporting and musical/dance event from her children to her grandchildren. Her “woohoos” could be heard throughout the gymnasium as she cheered on her team. Joann was very involved in the Bloomington Church and extremely close with her church family. She LOVED to sing and would break out in song at most any unexpected occasion. In addition to her vocal talents she loved to play the guitar, ukulele and piano. Joann was very generous, loving and kind. Her encouraging words and big smile were never just saved for a chosen few but were extended to all.

​Preceding her in death were her parents; siblings, Melba Sneed, Junior Phillips, Glen Phillips, Marge Gross, Hoford, Lon Wendal and son, Greg Bjorland. Survivors include her husband, Bob Bjorland of Lamoni, Iowa, children, Sue Puckett and husband, Darrell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, John Minnich of Des Moines, Iowa, Liz Hamaker and husband, Robert of Lamoni, Kirk Bjorland of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Kenny Bjorland and wife, Wendy Fluegel of Urbandale, Iowa; 12 grandchildren, Christopher Puckett, Michael & Emily Puckett, Eric Puckett, Maxwell Hampton, Samuel Hampton, Madison & AJ Salinas, Katherine Bjorland, Michelle & Kyle Leonard, Kelsey & Connor Naudet, Grace Bjorland, Beau Bjorland, and Bailey Bjorland; three great grandchildren, Audrey Leonard, and Elli and Eva Puckett; sister, Bonnie Ott of Somerville, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Estile Phillips of Oak Grove, Arkansas; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

​Memorial services will be held at the Lamoni Community of Christ Church in Lamoni, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2020, with Peggy Henson and Gwen Simpson officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.

** We have set up the Joann Bjorland Memorial Youth Fund at Bank of the West. The fund will be used to assist with Lamoni community youth needs and activities **