Gerald "Jerry" Bjurquist

Gerald “Jerry” Bjurquist left his home on earth November 23, 2025, after a courageous fight with cancer.

He was born October 29, 1944, and was  raised on the family farm near Lund, Wisconsin. Jerry was the eighth of ten children born to Nanna and Leonard Bjurquist.

He attended the Box Grade school near Lund and graduated from Pepin High School in 1962. He went to work for the Peavey Flour Mill in Hastings, Minnesota. He soon started work in the construction field as a civil engineer. He helped build the Lansing Power Plant in Iowa, the Alma Power Plant and worked on many other projects. During this time he bought a farm in Crawford County, Wisconsin.

He honorably served his country belonging to the Minnesota National Guard for 6 years and the last 2 years were in the Special Reserve Force.

He married Karen Johnson in 1968 and together they had 4 children. He loved his farm, especially his beef cows and knew each one and named many of them. He loved trees and knew each species. He was always thinking of new ideas to invent.

Jerry loved music, singing and dancing and you usually would know where he was when he was doing chores, as he would be whistling. He loved traveling and some of the best times were road trips near and far. He especially loved driving to Boise, Idaho where his daughter Nanna lives with her family. The great 14-day train trip with Diane and Frank Sudol was a highlight of his travels.

He retired to an acreage near Ridgeway, Iowa where he enjoyed the building of his home and shop. One of his favorite joys of the day was walking his beloved dog, Ansil, on the bike path adjacent to his home. He spent many hours with the grandchildren, walking and biking on the trail, also.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law. Laurel and Bob Haglund, Chuck and Edna Bjurquist, Wanda and Leonard Olson, Frank and Dolores Bjurquist, Lois Albarado and Nonie and Sonny Nielson.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, of 57 years. His children Amy (David Lach) Bjurquist, Nanna (Dave) Hanchett, Nathen (Becky Recker) Bjurquist, Justine (Wynn) Nies, 8 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the Mabel Community Center, 201 S. Main St. Mabel, MN 55954.  A visitation will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a Eulogy at 1pm and a lunch following.

Roth Family Cremation Center and Funeral Services is assisting the family.