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Roy E. Bjordahl • 1939 - 2010 Roy Edward Bjordahl was born March 19, 1939, a son of Arthur and Hazel (Holmes) Bjordahl, in Minot, ND. He was raised in rural Minot and attended grade school in Linton Township of Ward County, ND. As a young adult, he attended and was confirmed at Rose Valley Lutheran Church, rural Des Lacs. He graduated from Minot High School in 1957. Roy was drafted into the United States Army in 1962 and was stationed at Scofield Barracks, Hawaii. He then enlisted in Army reserves from 1964 to1966. During high school, Roy worked for Harry and Gertrude “Tillie” Eck at Motor Service in Minot. In 1957, he worked for Farmers Union Creamery and in May of 1959, he began his long-time employment with the City of Minot street department. Roy married Wanda Karna on May 26, 1962 in Minot, ND. They made their home in Minot. For the majority of his employment with the city, he worked as a heavy equipment operator running a street sweeper, sand truck, or a maintainer. He retired in June of 2001. During most of his full-time employment with the city of Minot, he also farmed with his father and brothers. They farmed in Linton and Vang Township of Ward County. He later became sole owner of the family farm. After two heart surgeries in the last 11 years, he retired from farming in 2003. Although he has had health issues for the past several years, he had hoped to do some farming during the past two years. However, it was not meant to be. He held a lifetime membership in AMVETS, was a member of the Makoti American Legion and the Minot Moose Lodge. He was a past member of the Eagles Aerie, and Elks Lodge, both of Minot. Roy was a hard worker and was never idle. If he didn’t have anything specific to do, he would either find something to do or some place to go. In December of 2009, he started chemotherapy treatments and even though he had undergone many, many treatments, he was back enjoying conversation with his many friends at various locations including Schatz’s Truck Stop, where until the last month of hospitalization, he would go to several times a day or night. He hardly ever forgot a face and it was not too often that he was stumped to remember a name or a date of certain events that happened over the years. His last drive to the farm and have coffee with his good friend and neighbor, Ernie Raszler, was on June 2nd just after he finished his chemo treatment that day, so he was able to be independently active until then. He loved his children and grandchildren and looked forward to having the holiday dinners with his family around him and he will very much be missed at the family dinner table. His loving family includes: wife of 48 years, Wanda, Minot; children, Byron (Tamae) Bjordahl, Minot, and LeAnn (Evan) Hanson, Minot; grandchildren, Andee Lee Hanson, Kynzee Bjordahl and Royce Hanson; step-grandchildren, Garrett Davis, and Samantha and Levi Hanson; brother, Arthur Bjordahl, Minot and Robert Bjordahl, Minot; sister, Arvarita Newnam, Stanley, ND; aunt, Hazel Hovde, Pelican Rapids, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Roy was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel, his father, Arthur, his stepmother Verda Bjordahl, brothers, Harry and Wade Bjordahl and a sister, Mary Hanson. Funeral: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Minot.
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Roy E. Bjordahl, 71, Minot, ND, died Saturday, July 3, 2010, in his home.