He attended school districts 138, 18, 81, and 15, and also attended Rush City and Pine City public schools in Minnesota.
He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in Pine City. He served in the Battery 'C', 257th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion from August of 1947 to March of 1950 and received an Honorable Discharge.
On Febr. 15, 1950, he was married to Betty Nichols in Mora, Minnesota. After his marriage, he worked for a dairy farm before moving to Fairmont, Minnesota where he worked for the street department for 2 years, and then went to work for Leet & Wagner in construction.
In February of 1954, he went to work for Golden Sun Feeds of Estherville, Iowa as a truck driver in Fairmont. He was promoted to salesman working in several area communities in Minnesota. While in Minnesota, he became a member of the United Methodist Church and was a director of Boy Scout Troop No. 188. He also became a member of Chain Lake Masonic Lodge No. 64 A.F.& A.M., Knights Templar No. 27, and Royal Arch Masons No. 50. He also became a member of the Fairmont Volunteer Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad.
In 1964, he was transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with Golden Sun Feeds, then in 1966 he transferred to Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1969 he was transferred to Grinnell, Iowa. There he became a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served on many of their committees and was president in 1971 & 72, and had also been on their board of trustees. In 1972, he was transferred to Fremont with Golden Sun Feeds. During his 42 years with Golden Sun, he won many awards and trips. In Fremont he became a member of the Fremont Shrine Club and also Tangier Shrine Center of Omaha.
Survivors: wife - Betty
son - Michael and wife Carole Bjorklund of Plattsmouth, NE
2 daughters - Judy and husband Michael Walsh of Leesburg, Florida
Gail and husband Jeff Dunn of Battleground, Washington
5 grandchildren
4 great grandchildren
brother - Bernard and wife Zeldora Bjorklund of Pine City, Minnesota
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, parents, 2 brothers and their wives.
Visitation will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont on Wednesday, July 21st , from 2 PM until 7 PM. At. 7 PM, a Masonic Service will be conducted by Fremont Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A. M. in the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel. The service is open to the Public. Then a graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 22nd, at 2 PM in the Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, Minnesota. There will also be a Masonic Service at the graveside conducted by Chain Lake Lodge No. 64 A.F. & A. M. Memorials in memory of Raymond L. 'Big Mike' Bjorklund may be directed to the family.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(8)
Lisa Rosemore
Pengilly, MN Saturday, August 7, 2010 I wish distance hadn't kept me from getting to know Mike better - most of what I know about him are stories his brother, my grandpa, told. In fact, last time I saw Mike was at my Grampa Eng's funeral. Jody, you're a cousin I've never met, but your stories on here about how Uncle Mike spoiled you are SOOO similar to how my grampa spoiled me. Guess it must have run in the familly. :) Just know that we are thinking of you all and are sending prayers your way. Much love from your Minnesota cousin, LisaBeth Hick
Bondurant, IA Wednesday, July 21, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I know how close all of you were. He was so proud of all of you, and loved the kids so much. Jody, your kids will have memories of him that will last them a lifetime. What a gift that is. Hugs to all of you. Love, Beth HickAngie Clark
Bondurant, IA Monday, July 19, 2010 Thinking about all of you. Jody-I know how much you loved your grandpa. He was lucky to have a grandaughter as good as you. Your kids are lucky to have been able to spend as much time with him as they did and you created many lasting memories for them. I have been thinking about all of you-Judy, Jody and Jason and all of your families. I love you all.Angie Clark
Bondurant, IA Monday, July 19, 2010 Thinking about all of you. Jody-I know how much you loved your grandpa. He was lucky to have a grandaughter as good as you. Your kids are lucky to have been able to spend as much time with him as they did and you created many lasting memories for them. I have been thinking about all of you-Judy, Jody and Jason and all of your families. I love you all.Clarice (Johnson) Staulcup
Backus, Mn Monday, July 19, 2010 Many memories thru the years of good times/visiting with Mike - always that great smile of his. He will be missed. Sincerely, ClariceJody Barnett
Bondurant, IA Thursday, July 22, 2010 Well Grandpa today was the day we laid you to rest and the pain was unbearable to let you go but in a sense calming to know you are in heaven free from pain and suffering and our memories and smiles will last a lifetime to comfort all of us! I listened to your voicemail I have from you that I saved back from March and it brought comfort to me.I love you and I miss you like crazy already! Love you to pieces!Jody Barnett
Bondurant, IA Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Grandpa, I'm not sure where to begin because we have SO many wonderful memories! You have always been here for me with the best advice,unconditional love and.support and I appreciate all that you have done for me. Like you always said, "I'll spoil you rotten if I want too!" And that you did! :)I think your the only Grandpa in this world that would buy 2 Cabbage Patch Dolls so their grandaughter would have more then her friends! LOL One thing I am very blessed about is my children "Great Papa's Binkers" getting to know you. My kids are very fortunate to have had the time they had with you. You made a big impact on all of our lives and we hold a special place for you in our hearts.We have endless thoughts and smiles when it comes to you Grandpa and we are so thankful and blessed to have known you! We are all going to miss you like crazy but I know you aren't far away from us. I love you Grandpa your the BEST!!!Nate Bjorklund
Omaha, NE Monday, July 19, 2010 To my grandpa, I already miss you so much grandpa. You were like a dad to me when mine was MIA or wasn't equipped to be a dad. You had such a positive impact on my life, you taught me what it means to be a man. You always gave the best advice and were brutally honest. Have achieved what I have because of you. I wish that Erik "Spud" would have been able to really get to know you. I'll really miss how you two would just stare at each other and smile so big. I'm glad that you got to see the next generation of Bjorklund's. I'll do my best to teach him the things you taught me. Like I asked you when I'd call most afternoons, "you stayin' out of trouble?". I'm sure that you are;) I Love You Grandpa! Nate