Opal Bjerken, 87, died on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 at Northwest Medical Center, CNC Unit, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 P.M.on Saturday, September 21, 2002 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend John Wollenzien officiating. Burial will be Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M. on Friday, September 20, 2002 at the Johnson-Green Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Friday evening and at the church for one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Opal Adelle Rhodegard was born on January 3, 1915, the daughter of Halvor and Hilda (Eklund) Rhodegard. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended school in Thief River Falls.

On February 22, 1933 Opal was united in marriage to Ernest Bjerken.

Opal was a wonderful mother and grandmother and a dedicated caregiver for her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading and shared that love with her family, encouraging them to become avid readers as well. She enjoyed cooking and baking, her specialty being homemade doughnuts. She also had a lively imagination and a good sense of humor and enjoyed entertaining.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Pennington County Election Board for more than 40 years.

Opal is survived by her children: Carol (Don) Narverud, Richard Bjerken, Wayne (Karen) Bjerken and Larry (Barb) Bjerken, all of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren: Steven Narverud, Daniel Narverud, Sally Mumm, all of Thief River Falls, MN, Jonathan Thorson, Gary Thorson, Terry Thorson and Kim Thorson-Degrood, all of Spokane, WA, Celeste Bjerken of East Grand Forks, MN, Heather Bjerken of Thief River Falls, MN and Christopher Bjerken of East Grand Forks, MN; great grandchildren: Brittany, Alexandra and Adriana Narverud, Jonathan Narverud, Chris and Kaitlyn Mumm, Shelby and Brody Beito and Alissa and Chariti Thorson; and one sister, Maurine Tinsley of Concord, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest; daughter, Donna Thorson; granddaughter, Susan Narverud; and two sisters: Violet Lindberg and Eileen Rhodegard.