Bjarne J. Knudson

Bjarne J. Knudson, 95 of Devils Lake, formerly of rural Fort Totten, ND passed away on Monday, January 22, 2007 at the Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services for Bjarne will be held on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Rafe Allison officiating. Interment will be in the Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Cemetery, Starkweather, ND in the spring. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Active Casket Bearers will be: Layne Koch, Clem Schnase, Gary Anderson, Larry Erickson, Rodney Erickson and Adam Houck Honorary Pallbearers will be the caring staff at Heartland Care Center and all of Bjarne’s dear friends and neighbors. Music will be provided by Gary Anderson, soloist and Brenda Swenseth, pianist Bjarne was born on September 2, 1911 at the family home, near Sheyenne, ND, the son of Mons and Charlotte (Elesiusen) Knudson. He attended Lone Tree School in the Sheyenne area and graduated from Benson County Agricultural and Training Center in Maddock, ND. He then served with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) working on projects in the Fargo, ND and Hinckley, Minnesota areas. On February 14, 1936, Bjarne was united in marriage to Anna Mellin in Devils Lake. They established their home in Starkweather for at short time then moved to rural Fort Totten, where they farmed and ranched and raised their family. Bjarne also worked for several years for the Concrete Sectional and Culvert Company. In 1972, they moved to Devils Lake where they would live through the years. After moving to Devils Lake, they worked with their son at the Branding Iron for over 25 years. Bjarne was one of the oldest boot salesmen in North Dakota. Bjarne served on the Benson County Social Service Board, Fort Totten School Board and Oberon Elevator Board for many years. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Sons of Norway, Elks Lodge and was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church and also served on the council. In later years, Bjarne and Anna enjoyed traveling and traveled to almost every state in the US including Alaska and also went to Norway and Sweden twice. Bjarne collected and polished rocks and made many pieces of jewelry and furniture which he shared with family and friends. He loved to fish and was thrilled when you could actually start catching fish in Devils Lake again. Bjarne loved the land and working the sod and caring for his livestock, but the true loves of his life were his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Anna Daughter and Son-In-Law: Joyce and Frank Whitehead of Devils Lake Son and Daughter-In-Law: John and Penelope Knudson also of Devils Lake Grandchildren: Ann (Dana) Houck, Faribault, Minnesota Maria (Layne) Koch, Midwest City, Oklahoma William (Kim) Whitehead, Mayer, Minnesota Laurel (Clem) Schnase, Fargo, ND Great Grandchildren: Adam, Mattias, Christopher and Jenna Houck Joshua and Kristina Koch Ryan, Megan and Natalie Whitehead Cassidy, William and Amanda Schnase Many Nieces and Nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold, Ervind, Walter, Knute and Elmer Knudson and sisters, Ragnhild Anderson and Vivian Hermanson. Memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church Improvements Fund or a charity of the donor’s choice. Friends may sign the online register book at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com.