Robert “Bob” Bjorland
Robert Lee Bjorland, age 85, was born July 13, 1939, to Thoralf Lee and Myrtle Alvina (Dahl) Bjorland in Cavalier County, North Dakota. He left this life on May 19, 2025.
Bob, as he was known, was born in North Dakota and the family moved to Everett, Washington when he was in grade school where Bob often talks about his trips (unknown to his mother) exploring the docked Navy ships as a young youth. In 1946, the family moved to Lamoni, Iowa where Bob attended school and graduated from high school in 1957. He attended Graceland College and shortly after college, he worked construction for a few years in Des Moines, Iowa, building homes with his future brother-in-law, Darrell Shoemaker. Then he started his 40-year career at Graceland College in the physical plant as a professional cabinet maker, maintenance man and carpenter. He retired as supervisor of the carpentry crew. His time at Graceland was very fulfilling and supplied Bob with a lifetime of memories, friends and colleagues.
Bob was married to Janet Louise Shoemaker. They were blessed with three sons, Gregory, Kenny, and Kirk. In 1981, Bob and Patsy Joann Minnich married. Her three children, Elizabeth, John, and Sue, also joined the family.
In his free time, Bob enjoyed bird hunting with friends, woodworking, building custom cars, raising quarter horses and attending grandchildren’s events. He and Joann loved playing cards with friends, visiting with family, and they enjoyed traveling the United States on their motorcycle with friends.
Bob’s faith was important to him and his family. Bob was baptized and confirmed in Lamoni on September 14, 1947. He was ordained to the office of Priest on May 11, 1975; to the office of Elder on November 28, 1982; and ordained to office of Seventy on November 16, 1997. Bob was a member of the Bloomington Congregation and was awarded the status of Seventy Emeritus on December 4, 2021.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Joann Bjorland in 2020; son, Greg Bjorland in 1994; and brother, Burnell Bjorland in 2011. Survivors include his children, Kenny Bjorland and wife, Wendy Fluegel of Leon, Iowa, Kirk Bjorland and companion, Renae Verduyn of Clive, Iowa, Brenna Bjorland of Grimes, Iowa, Liz Farrell and husband, Lance of Waukee, Iowa, John Minnich of Des Moines, and Sue Puckett and husband, Darrell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Katherine Bjorland, Michelle & Kyle Leonard, Kelsey & Connor Naudet, Grace Bjorland, Annelise Baumgartner, Beau & Sydney Bjorland, Bailey & Justin Rye, Christopher & Holly Puckett, Michael & Emily Puckett, Eric Puckett, Maxwell Hampton, Samuel Hampton, Madison & AJ Salinas, Alayna Verduyn, and Aidan Verduyn, 12 great grandchildren, Audrey and Benton Leonard, Hazel Rye, Banks Bjorland, Mateo and Knox Salinas, Elli and Eva Puckett, Ruth and Reed Puckett, and Theo and Louis Puckett; brother, Ronald Bjorland of Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Myrna Thatcher and husband Dean of Creston, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at the Lamoni Community of Christ Church at 2 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2025. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery will be at a later date. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.