Marian Bjerke

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Marian Ritchie McKinnon Bjerke, age 84, of Casselton, ND.  Marian peacefully departed this world on March 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Marian was born in Fargo, ND on October 7th, 1940, to Clifford and Helen McKinnon of Mapleton, ND.  She lived in Mapleton, attending school until she graduated from high school in 1958. 

During her childhood she spent a lot of time rounding up her 5 rambunctious brothers, spending time with her cousins, playing some basketball, helping her parents on the farm, and developing her passion for music.  

From there she continued her education at NDSU, graduating with Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1961.  It was during her college years as a Kappa Kappa Gamma sister that she met the love of her life, Keith Bjerke, of Northwood ND.  The 2 of them were married on December 29, 1961, and continued on to have 64 years of married bliss.

Immediately after their wedding the happy couple moved to Camp Lejune, North Carolina, for a 3-year stint with the US Marine Corps.  Here they had their first daughter, Cari, in 1964.  Shortly following her birth, the couple moved back to the family farm in Northwood, ND. 

During their years in Northwood Marian raised four wonderful children at the farm.  On top of this important job, she taught music at Northwood Public School, was choir director at Washington Lutheran Church, and generally managed the entire family.  In later years Marian became the Activities Director at the Northwood Deaconess Nursing Home.

After 25 years on the farm, and with the family raised and gone, Keith and Marian set off on a new adventure in Washington DC. Marian was a volunteer at the White House, taught music at a Montessori School, participated with the “Lobby Ladies”, played tour guide and thoroughly enjoyed her new adventure.  

Four years later the couple moved to Bismarck where Marian served 8 years as the First Lady of Fraine Barracks. During these years she also cared for several of her grandchildren while their parents worked or went to school. 

Another adventure followed when they moved back to the Fargo area. While Keith worked at NDSU, Marian thrived caring for additional grandchildren, becoming very involved with First Lutheran Church and their choir and bell group. 

Retirement had the couple moving out to Casselton, ND to get closer to Marian’s roots. The couple also branched out with a second home in Maricopa, AZ, and found a second church home at Maricopa Lutheran, where again Marian enjoyed her time in the choir and chimes groups.  The couple continued to winter in Az until January 2025. During these years Marian kept busy & surrounded herself with her husband, her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren as often as they could. She also cherished the many friendships she had made over these many chapters.

The last few months of Marian’s life were spent in assisted living at Sheyenne Crossing, in West Fargo along with Keith.  The couple continued to enjoy their music passion by joining the choir. 
Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Helen McKinnon and three brothers, Clifford Jr., John, and Paul.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Bjerke; 2 brothers, Thomas McKinnon & Robert McKinnon (both of Fargo ND), 4 children, Cari (Tom) Middelkamp (Mankato, MN), Patricia Bathie (Casselton, ND) Christopher (Sandi) Bjerke (San Antonio, TX), and Deborah (Harwood) Warnsholz (Fargo, ND); 10 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren.

A service to remember and celebrate her life will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 3:00pm at Martin's Lutheran Church in Casselton, ND. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior. 

In lieu of flowers, the family of Marian asks that you please consider making a donation to the NDSU Development Foundation or the Keith & Marian Bjerke Music Scholarships at NDSU. A link for making a donation may be found below under the "Donations" section. 

Services will be made available to watch online by Martin’s Lutheran Church's YouTube and Facebook page. To watch, please click one of the links found below.

YouTube

Facebook

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marian Bjerke, please visit our floral store.