After a short, courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis, George Bjorgaard of Viking, MN passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Lunch and fellowship will follow military honors. Burial is planned in the spring of 2019 at the Viking Cemetery.

George Edward Bjorgaard was born on October 2, 1946 in Warren, MN son of Arnold and Sue (Tatro) Bjorgaard. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith and attended school in Newfolden, graduating in 1964. George entered the US Army on December 22, 1965  and  proudly served during the Vietnam war until his honorable discharge on September 25, 1967.

On May 25, 1968 George was united in marriage to Idelle Kasprick in Argyle, MN. In 1974, they moved to the Twin Cities area where George proceeded to continue his career as a machinist for a total of 52 years. George retired in 2015, and they returned home to Viking, MN. George and Idelle had recently celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary May 25, 2018.

George enjoyed hunting, fishing, land management with his John Deere tractor, bowling (accomplished a 300), gardening and watching his grandchildren play sports. George was also a member of the American Legion and the Eagles in Thief River Falls.

George is survived by his wife Idelle of Viking, MN, children Corey (Darcie & Cody) Bjorgaard, Montgomery, MN, Brady (Megan) Bjorgaard of Lonsdale, MN; grandchildren Riley and Keyton Bjorgaard; brothers Jerry (Renee) Bjorgaard of Circle Pines, MN, Robert (Gretchen) Bjorgaard of Viking, MN and Bruce (Vickie) Bjorgaard of Viking, MN; sisters Debbie Jablinske of Thief River Falls, MN, Patti (Bruce) Londgren of Ocala, FL, Peggy (Mike) Norman of Inverness, FL; sister-in-law Carol Davis of Winona, MN; along with several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

George is preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth; sister-in-law Kathy Bjorgaard.

In lieu of flowers, in George's honor, memorials can be sent to:

Idelle Bjorgaard

23313 145 ^th Ave NW

Viking, MN 56760

In the Spring of 2019, the family will be planting apple trees on the family farm in his memory.