Lillian Bjorklund

Lillian Dorothy Bjorklund, 93, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, November 18, 2010, at Sanford Health Hospital in Fargo. She had been a resident of the Broen Home since January of this year. Lillian Dorothy Hoglund was born on April 29, 1917 near Lake Norden, SD on the farm homesteaded by her grandfather Svante Hoglund.  She was the oldest of 9 children born to Robert and Gladys (Gustafson) Hoglund.  When Lillian was 6, the family moved to Little Sauk Township near Long Prairie, Minnesota.  She graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1938 at the age of 21.  She had to drop out several times to help care for her mother and baby brothers, and worked for her room and board while attending school in town 10 miles away . She graduated from Staples Normal School in 1939.  She taught for 10 years in four rural schools in Todd County, the last school being in Gutches Grove, where she and her mother and siblings had attended. Lillian's life revolved around her love for her Savior, her family and her church. She was a member of Reynolds Baptist Church near Long Prairie, where she served as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, and pianist. Lillian first met Reuben Bjorklund in 1942 at a Baptist district rally in Henning.  Reuben noticed the good-looking girl, and asked her and a friend to go for a ride in his car. On June 18, 1949, Lillian married Reuben at her parent's home.  They made their home in Fergus Falls where Reuben operated a radio and television repair shop.  They were parents to one daughter Joyce.  Lillian was an active member of First Baptist Church of Fergus Falls.  Reuben Bjorklund passed away November 22, 1986. At First Baptist, Lillian served as Sunday School Secretary for 41 years, as well as teaching Sunday School, Girls Missionary Guild, and Tuesday released time classes. She was active in womens and visitation ministries.  In latter years she served as a prayer ministry leader. Lillian regularly attended activities at the Fergus Falls Senior Center, enjoying dinners, exercise, and other programs.  She enjoyed keeping in touch with her church friends with daily phone calls and visits. Lillian Bjorklund is survived by her daughter Joyce of St Paul, her brothers Harold (Vi) of Roseville, and Kenneth (Marion) of Burnsville, and a sister Ruth Peterson of Long Prairie.  She was preceded in death by her brothers Alfred, Gordon and Eldon, and by and infant brother Melvin, and infant sister Doris.