Jerry (Gerald) Allen Bjerke, 78, of Webster Wisconsin passed away on December 31, 2014, of natural causes.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 1:00pm at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota with Pastor Linda Helberg officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.   After the memorial service, he will be laid to rest at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Jerry Bjerke was born in Hinckley Minnesota on October 9, 1936, to Nels and Blanche (Eastling) Bjerke. He worked most of his life as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Lake Area Utilities and was a lifelong member of the IUOE Local #49 Union. He married Judy Schneiter on February 3, 1962, in Custer, South Dakota.

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener. He enjoyed racing lawnmowers at county fairs. Most times he could be found in his garage welding on a homemade project or repairing a piece of equipment. He took great pride in owning JB Welding and Snowplowing of Webster, WI. Special times were spent with his girls, family, friends and a close friend.

He is survived by his 5 Daughters, Jolene (Jim Mogren) Wilcox, Janine Betts, Julie (Gary) Kline, Jodi (Darwyn) Karau, and Janel (Rick) Enright; 11 Grandchildren, Mellissa, Michael, Toshia, Corey, Amanda, Lynzie, Teresa, Ashley, Jerrid, Joseph; and 12 Great Grandchildren; He is also survived by his  brother, Arnold (Carolyn)Bjerke, and 4 sisters, Dorcus Bunnell, Evelyn Taylor, Irene Schlatter, Velora (James) Handahl and many nieces and nephews.

He was Preceded in Death by his Parents Nels and Blanche (Eastling) Bjerke; Sisters Jeanette Moffate, Marion Keeney. Wife, Judy Schneiter; a Grandson, Wyatt Nels Wilcox.

Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 ^th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904,    507-282-1075.

www.mackenfuneralhome.com