Benjamin Keith Bjertness, 69, Grand Forks, ND, known as Ben and Uncle Ben, died Sunday, November 16, 2003, in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks. He was recovering from surgery and died unexpectedly.
Ben was born July 25, 1934, in Hatton, ND, the third of four sons to Elmer and Anna (Hannestad) Bjertness. Following high school in Hatton, Ben graduated from Mayville State Teachers College and later, the University of North Dakota, with a master's degree in educational administration.
Ben married Echo Olson, the love of his life, on August 11, 1963, in Hoople, ND. They lived and taught school in Grand Forks for a combined total of 80 years. During his years of teaching, Ben was an elementary teacher in Cooperstown and Grand Forks, a junior high principal and principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary School. He retired in 1995. He and Echo enjoyed three years of retirement together before her untimely death in 1999.
Ben faithfully served his church, United Lutheran, in Grand Forks, in countless ways including Council Chair President and on numerous committees' boards. He served on the board of directors during the building phase of Valley 4000, a retirement complex in Grand Forks. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Kiwanis, and Grand Forks Education Foundation.
Ben was a great cook and most famous among his family for the tutoring he provided in making the Bjertness cooked meringue icing.
Survivors include: brothers, Olaf (Dorothy), of Minot, ND, and Donald, (Bernice), and Robert, both of Billings, MT; his mother-in-law, Ruby Olson, Hoople; and three brothers-in-law, LaVoy (Joyce) Olson, Jerry (Nadine) Olson, and Joel (Peggy) Olson. He leaves behind, the families of seven Bjertness nieces and nephews, and nine Olson nieces and nephews. Ben was loved by family and many friends.
Services were held at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, with the Rev. Peter Coen-Tuff and the Rev. Karla Coen-Tuff officiating. Interment was at the Hoople Cemetery.
Ben was born July 25, 1934, in Hatton, ND, the third of four sons to Elmer and Anna (Hannestad) Bjertness. Following high school in Hatton, Ben graduated from Mayville State Teachers College and later, the University of North Dakota, with a master's degree in educational administration.
Ben married Echo Olson, the love of his life, on August 11, 1963, in Hoople, ND. They lived and taught school in Grand Forks for a combined total of 80 years. During his years of teaching, Ben was an elementary teacher in Cooperstown and Grand Forks, a junior high principal and principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary School. He retired in 1995. He and Echo enjoyed three years of retirement together before her untimely death in 1999.
Ben faithfully served his church, United Lutheran, in Grand Forks, in countless ways including Council Chair President and on numerous committees' boards. He served on the board of directors during the building phase of Valley 4000, a retirement complex in Grand Forks. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Kiwanis, and Grand Forks Education Foundation.
Ben was a great cook and most famous among his family for the tutoring he provided in making the Bjertness cooked meringue icing.
Survivors include: brothers, Olaf (Dorothy), of Minot, ND, and Donald, (Bernice), and Robert, both of Billings, MT; his mother-in-law, Ruby Olson, Hoople; and three brothers-in-law, LaVoy (Joyce) Olson, Jerry (Nadine) Olson, and Joel (Peggy) Olson. He leaves behind, the families of seven Bjertness nieces and nephews, and nine Olson nieces and nephews. Ben was loved by family and many friends.
Services were held at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, with the Rev. Peter Coen-Tuff and the Rev. Karla Coen-Tuff officiating. Interment was at the Hoople Cemetery.
Benjamin Keith Bjertness, 69, Grand Forks, ND, known as Ben and Uncle Ben, died Sunday, November 16, 2003, in Altru Hospital of Grand Forks. He was recovering from surgery and died unexpectedly.
Ben was born July 25, 1934, in Hatton, ND, the third of four sons to Elmer and Anna (Hannestad) Bjertness. Following high school in Hatton, Ben graduated from Mayville State Teachers College and later, the University of North Dakota, with a master's degree in educational administration.
Ben married Echo Olson, the love of his life, on August 11, 1963, in Hoople, ND. They lived and taught school in Grand Forks for a combined total of 80 years. During his years of teaching, Ben was an elementary teacher in Cooperstown and Grand Forks, a junior high principal and principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary School. He retired in 1995. He and Echo enjoyed three years of retirement together before her untimely death in 1999.
Ben faithfully served his church, United Lutheran, in Grand Forks, in countless ways including Council Chair President and on numerous committees' boards. He served on the board of directors during the building phase of Valley 4000, a retirement complex in Grand Forks. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Kiwanis, and Grand Forks Education Foundation.
Ben was a great cook and most famous among his family for the tutoring he provided in making the Bjertness cooked meringue icing.
Survivors include: brothers, Olaf (Dorothy), of Minot, ND, and Donald, (Bernice), and Robert, both of Billings, MT; his mother-in-law, Ruby Olson, Hoople; and three brothers-in-law, LaVoy (Joyce) Olson, Jerry (Nadine) Olson, and Joel (Peggy) Olson. He leaves behind, the families of seven Bjertness nieces and nephews, and nine Olson nieces and nephews. Ben was loved by family and many friends.
Services were held at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, with the Rev. Peter Coen-Tuff and the Rev. Karla Coen-Tuff officiating. Interment was at the Hoople Cemetery.
Ben was born July 25, 1934, in Hatton, ND, the third of four sons to Elmer and Anna (Hannestad) Bjertness. Following high school in Hatton, Ben graduated from Mayville State Teachers College and later, the University of North Dakota, with a master's degree in educational administration.
Ben married Echo Olson, the love of his life, on August 11, 1963, in Hoople, ND. They lived and taught school in Grand Forks for a combined total of 80 years. During his years of teaching, Ben was an elementary teacher in Cooperstown and Grand Forks, a junior high principal and principal of Lewis & Clark Elementary School. He retired in 1995. He and Echo enjoyed three years of retirement together before her untimely death in 1999.
Ben faithfully served his church, United Lutheran, in Grand Forks, in countless ways including Council Chair President and on numerous committees' boards. He served on the board of directors during the building phase of Valley 4000, a retirement complex in Grand Forks. He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Kiwanis, and Grand Forks Education Foundation.
Ben was a great cook and most famous among his family for the tutoring he provided in making the Bjertness cooked meringue icing.
Survivors include: brothers, Olaf (Dorothy), of Minot, ND, and Donald, (Bernice), and Robert, both of Billings, MT; his mother-in-law, Ruby Olson, Hoople; and three brothers-in-law, LaVoy (Joyce) Olson, Jerry (Nadine) Olson, and Joel (Peggy) Olson. He leaves behind, the families of seven Bjertness nieces and nephews, and nine Olson nieces and nephews. Ben was loved by family and many friends.
Services were held at United Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, with the Rev. Peter Coen-Tuff and the Rev. Karla Coen-Tuff officiating. Interment was at the Hoople Cemetery.
Inscription
Echo Joy Daughter Of
Oliver & Ruby (Almen) Olson
and
Bejamin Keith Son Of
Elmer & Anna (Hannestad) Bjertness
Married August 11, 1963
First Lutheran of Hoople, ND
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
