Alice Bjerke

Alice Ann Bjerke, wife, mother, business woman, friend, and humanitarian died Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at her home in Mankato. Alice was 68.

Alice was born January 14, 1941 to Gustav Arthur and Alida (Revne) Anderson in St. James Township, Watonwan County. She attended country school, District 45 and graduated from St. James High School in 1958. She was employed by First National Bank of St. James from 1958 until 1972. Alice was united in marriage to Keith H. Bjerke on January 14, 1970 at First Lutheran Church in St. James. The couple resided in St. James for the first two years of their marriage, moved to Austin for two years, and then to Mankato for another two years. They built a home, raised their sons and established a business together in Waseca where they lived from 1976 until 1994. The couple resided on Lake Washington from 1994 until 2004 and then returned to Mankato.

Alice was the co-owner and bookkeeper for KB Trucking in Waseca and Mankato from 1983 until 2004, worked at the Open Door Clinic from 2004 until 2006, and was then bookkeeper for Western Specialized, Inc. from 2006 to present. Alice also found herself to be a "mother to all her drivers' while working for both KB and Western.

Alice was a former member of First Lutheran Church in St. James and a current member of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato. For several years, Alice actively participated in PACT ministries and the Food For All. In the last two years, Alice and Keith also enjoyed delivering Meals On Wheels. Alice loved spending time with her family, gardening, bird watching and reading.

Alice is survived by her husband, Keith, of Mankato; two sons, Robert Bjerke of Mankato, Chad Bjerke and wife Tara of Waseca and their four children, Casey, Charlotte, Cole and Cecelia; sister, Ardys Peterson of St. James; nephew, Curtis Peterson and wife, Kim of Windom; and niece, Julie Peterson of St. James.

Alice was preceded in death by her mother and father, mother and father in law, and a brother in law, Ray Peterson.

Throughout Alice's battle with ovarian cancer, she participated in several research programs with the hope that her experience in these trials would advance studies for future ovarian cancer patients.

Memorial service will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato on Thursday, June 25th. Visitation will begin at 4:30 with funeral service to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ISJ Hospice or the American Cancer Society.