Virginia "Ginny" Bjerken, 62 died Sunday, December 03, 2006 at her residence in Thief River Falls, MN, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 P.M. on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Tim McGee presiding. Burial will be in St. Bernards Catholic Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. Rosary and Prayer Service at the Funeral Home on Wednesday evening and also at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Virginia Kay Morrison was born on February 24, 1944 at White Earth, MN, the daughter of William Morrison and Shirley (Doty) Haugen. She was baptized at Ogema, MN, confirmed at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls and attended Elementary and High School in Waubun, MN.

Virginia was united in marriage to Benedict Ben Bjerken on June 23, 1962 at Waubun, MN. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and Virginia worked at the Soo Caf, Eagles Club, and was a Day Care Provider for 10 years. She also worked at Land O Lakes for 20 years and was presently working for Arctic Cat, Inc. for 13 years.

Virginia loved to watch her children and grandchildren play sports and sing. She also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, bowling, playing Bingo with her girlfriends and spending time at the lake with her family and friends.

She was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church and the Sunset Bowling League.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Ben of Thief River Falls, MN; five children: Pam (Wade) Welkener of Trinidad, West Indies, Bill (Cheri) Bjerken of Moorhead, MN, Christy (Dave) Sorenson of Thief River Falls, MN, Lisa (Chuck) Simenson of Thief River Falls, MN and Becky (Dayton) Hulst of Moorhead, MN; special family member, Rachael Amundson of Thief River Falls, MN; 16 grandchildren: Jill Bjerken, Tiffany Sorenson, Conrad Klinkhammer, Tyler Bjerken, Zach Sorenson, Jesse Bjerken, Dani Simenson, Riley Simenson, Brianna Bjerken, Madison Welkener, Alexis Hulst, Beth Hulst, Tori Welkener, Samantha Hulst, Gabrielle Welkener and Sophia Welkener; two sisters: Geri (Tony) Walz of West Fargo, ND and Karin Reese of Anchorage, Alaska; mother-in-law, Eleanor Bjerken of Mahnomen, MN; sister-in-law, Dee (Ron) Winter of Thief River Falls, MN; brothers-in-law, John Bjerken of Mahnomen, MN and Dennis (Shirley) Bjerken of Moorhead, MN; special friends, Emil and Theresa Vanyo of Thief River Falls, MN; seventeen nieces and nephews; and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Morrison; mother, Shirley Haugen; step father, Harvey Haugen; father-in-law, Julius Bjerken; sister-in-law, Judy Bjerken; and loving and Free Spirited nephew, Brian Bjerken.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
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PALLBEARERS: Mark Walz, Matt Walz, Mike Walz, Tony Winter, Tyler Bjerken, Zach Sorenson, Riley Simenson and Jesse Bjerken