Lee Bjerke

Lee Bjerke, 93, of Viroqua, WI died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Bethel Home in Viroqua, WI. Funeral Services were held Tuesday, March 28 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lansing with Rev. Laura Gentry as the officiant. Burial followed at Old East Paint Creek Cemetery, Waterville.

Lee was born April 20, 1923 to Oscar and Edna (Dorwin) Lewison in Viroqua, WI. She attended Viroqua High School and graduated in 1942 from Luther College with a degree in Elementary Education. Lee furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse, WI. Lee was united in marriage with Arlen “Spec” Bjerke June 16, 1945 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lansing.

Lee was a teacher in the Lansing and West Salem, WI school districts for 40 years. She retired from teaching in 1986. In 1998, Lee joined the Teacher “Wall of Fame” in the West Salem School District. She was a member of the Eastern Star-Decorah Chapter No. 73, La Crosse Area Retired Educators Association (LAREA) and Wisconsin Retired Educators Association (WREA).

Lee was involved with many church related activities. She taught Sunday school, Bible Classes, was in the Choir, and an active participant in the Ladies Circle - both in West Salem and Lansing Churches.

Lee is survived by her children, Dr. John (Nancy Bekkedal) Bjerke of Viroqua, WI and Jane (Marlin) Kitchen of Grand Ledge, MI; six grandchildren: Mark Kitchen, Teri Karcher, Amy Stoakes, Lisa Bjerke, Kristen Coats and Megan Bjerke; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters: Leaura Plummer of Johnson, KS, Gay Newton of Hutchinson, KS and LoAnn Markno of Wichita, KS; and two brothers, Bill Hatton of Dallas, TX and Orvin Lewison of Viroqua, WI.

Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Arlen, October 21, 2000; her parents, Oscar and Edna Lewison; and one brother, George Hatton.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing assisted the family with the arrangements.