Margaret Bjerken, 65, died Sunday, November 3, 2002 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Private funeral service will be Thursday, November 7, 2002 at the Johnson Green Funeral Home, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Arlen Hermodson. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 4 " 8 PM, Wednesday, November 6, 2002 at the Johnson Green Funeral Home with a 7 PM prayer service.

Margaret Mary Haider was born March 11, 1937, in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of Frank Joseph and Mary (Brandle) Haider. She was baptized at St. Bernards Catholic Church. She attended St. Bernards Catholic School and Lincoln High School.

On April 23, 1955, Margaret was united in marriage to Gordon Joseph Bjerken. She worked for a few years at Arctic Cat.

Margaret was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She liked to cook, bake, read and play bingo. She especially enjoyed being with her family and friends.

Survivors include husband, Gordon; 4 children, Steven (Kathy), Thief River Falls, MN, Debra (John) Westlake, Grand Rapids, MN, Denise (Lonnie) Thompson, Thief River Falls, MN and Susan (Wayne) Sourdif, Ada, MN; 7 grandchildren, Jennifer and Nicholas Bjerken, Melissa and Mike Westlake, Andrew and Jade Sourdif and Cambell Thompson; 2 great grandchildren, Brooke and Noah; 3 sisters, Catherine Harris, Whittier, CA, Frances McCreery, Lincoln, NE and Rose (Hank) McLain, Hatfield, AR; 2 brothers, Philip Haider, Thief River Falls, MN and Dennis Haider, Hungry Horse, MT.

Preceded in death by parents and grandparents, John and Katerina Haider.