Mary Evelyn (Kearns) BJERKE

BJERKE, KEARNS, COSTELLO, RILEY, MERICLE, COX

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/16/2012 at 14:04:49

March 3, 1918 --- January 11, 2012

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Mary Evelyn (Kearns) Bjerke, 93, died 11 January 2012 at home after a brief illness. She was born the third of eight children to Jim and Evelyn Kearns and raised on a farm in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1935 and Fort Dodge St. Joseph's Mercy School of Nursing in 1940. As a registered nurse, she worked in OB at Boone, Iowa; before she entered the Army Air Nurse Corps on 12 April 1943 at Stockton, CA as a 2 Lt. Mary cared for soldiers who were burned during WWII. She met her husband, Army Sgt. Paul E. Bjerke, at the Mather Field Hospital in Sacramento, CA, where both were stationed. Love at first sight, they were married on 9 June 1945. After service, they farmed in the Fort Dodge area for 30 years before moving to San Antonio, TX, in 1984 to enjoy retirement. As an Iowa resident, Mary was a member of the Corpus Christi Parish, Past Grand Regent of Catholic Daughters of America (CDA) Court of Good Counsel #216, Past President of American Legion Auxiliary, held all office of the Catholic Nurses, member of the Webster County Extension, Vice-Chairman of Webster County Democrats and Women's Group for eight years, member of DOC and Evergreen organizations of Goldfield, IA, and held all offices of St. Ann's Monican Mothers of Corpus Christi Parish. In San Antonio, TX, Mary belonged to Prince of Peace Parish, Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, Crafts and Quilting Groups. She was also a member and held all offices of the Golden Friendship Club; member of the CDA Court Bishop Odin #1758, Leon Valley Seniors Bingo, OASIS, Methodist Women's Plus, and Society of Air Force Nurses. A natural historian and photographer, she left volumes of scrapbooks chuck full of memories. Her green thumb produced an amazingly beautiful flower garden where ever she lived. Her creativity and generosity were evident in her needle work and her gifts to many. She loved to travel, spend time with friends and family, and cook delicious family style meals. She is renowned the Bjerke Birthday Bashes for her March Birthday.

Mary is survived by children: USAF Ret Col Nancy B. Bjerke (and USAF Ret SMSgt Lee Cox) of San Antonio, TX, USMC Ret Major Thomas E (and Nancy) Bjerke) of Alexandria, VA, Larry P. (and Kris) Bjerke of Ripon, CA, Robert O. (and Colleen) Bjerke of Austin, TX, Diane M. Bjerke of Fillmore, CA, and Paul J. (and Cheryl) Bjerke of Lakewood, CO. She is survived by eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, brother Robert R. (and Charlotte) Kearns of Las Vegas, NV, sister Kathryn Ann Costello of FL, several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, son DeWayne J., husband Paul E., brothers Thomas, Jack and Bud Kearns, and sisters Frances Riley and Jane Mericle.

On Monday, 16 January 2012, visitation is from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. and rosary at 12 noon at the Castle Ridge Mortuary. Funeral Mass is at 2:00 p.m. St. Luke's Catholic Church. Her burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be on Monday, January 23, 2012 with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, Mary prefers masses or donations for masses.

January 15, 2012
Fort Dodge Messenger - Iowa