Beverly N. Bjelde

Beverly Nadean (Meyer) Bjelde was born on October 1, 1936, in Sanborn, MN. She died peacefully on October 1, 2018 surrounded by loved ones.

Her early years in Sanborn included education in a one-room schoolhouse through the 6^th grade, while spending summers on the family farm driving a tractor at age 11. The family moved to Moorhead during her senior year. She was invited to join a potluck group and played the clarinet in the marching band where she developed close friendships that lasted her whole life. The summer before her freshman year at Concordia, she demonstrated her talents as a carhop at the A & W her parents owned in Dilworth.

Bev worked as an office manager her senior year and the following year. Her typing skills were highly sought after by doctoral candidates and her employment positions. She once completed 183 different letters to company clients in one day. They were typed, sorted, and sent out – all composed on a manual typewriter.

Bev was a true Cobber, and it was at Concordia where she met Jerry Bjelde, her husband and lifelong love for the next 60 years. During this time, she and Jerry met their closest and dearest friends who became like family. As if a fairytale for her, the legacy continued with her children and other family members becoming an integral part of the Concordia community. Soli Deo Gloria.

Bev and Jerry welcomed their daughter Kim to the family in 1960 and son Scott in 1963. Central to her life, her children were her pride and joy. She was beloved by her five grandchildren whom she was intensely proud of for their character, talents, and compassion for others. They always knew that Grandma and Grandpa would be in the audience for concerts, plays, proms, games, and all their activities. Valuing her Norwegian heritage, she taught her children and grandchildren to love lefse and rømmegrøt.

The family made a few moves in the early years before settling in Moorhead. In 1974 they moved to Burnsville and in later years spent time in Sioux Falls before retiring back to Moorhead. Bev participated AAUW, Junior League, was a member of Chapter CO in P.E.O., and a golden member of Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge. She was very active in the Fairview Hospital Auxiliary serving as vice president and managing three Fairview Hospital gift shops for a number of years.

The Bjeldes loved to travel and spent family vacations throughout the US and Norway. In later years, Bev and Jerry traveled with their dear friends to Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland. She loved to smile, laugh, dance, and have good times with all, feeling blessed by the friendships in her life.

Beverly is survived by her husband Jerry, children Kim (Curt) Swanson of Rogers, MN, Scott (Sarah) Bjelde of Eden Prairie, MN, and grandchildren Jason Swanson, Melissa Swanson, Christian Swanson, Betsy Bjelde, and Katie Bjelde.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Selma Meyer and brother Merle Meyer.

A memorial gathering will be held Friday, October 5^th from 5-7 pm, with a prayer service at 7 pm, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.

A Celebration of Life for Bev will be held Saturday, October 6^th at 11:00 am, with memorial gathering beginning at 10 am, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bev’s memory to The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Moorhead, MN or Concordia College.