Burnice T. Bjork

Mesa, AZ formerly of Larchwood, IA Burnice T. Bjork, age 87 of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Larchwood, IA died Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at her home in Mesa AZ. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, June 18th at Grandview Covenant Church in Larchwood, IA, Rev. Penny Nance officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, June 17th from 2 " 8 PM, with the family present from 6 " 8 PM at the Roste Funeral Home of Larchwood. Burnice Thelma Bjork was born February 6, 1920 at Larchwood, Iowa, the daughter of Tonnes and Bella (Anderson) Henrikson. She grew up in the Larchwood area and graduated from Larchwood High School in 1938. She attended Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, IA and earned her teachers certificate. She taught in rural schools for several years. On November 27, 1941 she was united in marriage to Virgil Bjork at Grandview Covenant Church near Larchwood, IA. Following their marriage they farmed in the Larchwood area, where she always enjoyed being a homemaker and mother. She was very active in her church as a Sunday school teacher and serving in the Ladies Aid. Burnice came from a large family which was very important to her. Her joys were being with the Larchwood community and friends and family. When Burnice and Virgil retired from farming, they moved to Mesa, AZ. On February 28, 1996 Burnices husband, Virgil died after 56 years of marriage. Following Virgils death Burnice lived independently for many years, staying active in several community activities and traveling to visit her children. This past Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Burnice died at her home in Arizona at the age of 87. Left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Cheryl (and Len) Olson of Mesa, AZ, Carol (and Warren) Johnson of Carmel, IN and Barbara (and Stan) Adams of Brighton, MI; a daughter-in-law, Amy Bjork of Sioux Falls, SD; four grandchildren, Brian (and Stacy) Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Abigail Adams and Timothy Adams; a great-granddaughter, Jordan Flanagan; a sister, Helen (Henrikson) Williams of Apache Junction, AZ; and many other extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Bjork; a son, Keith Bjork; parents, Tonnes and Bella Henrikson; tree brothers, Wallace Henrikson, Arnold Henrikson and Marvin Henrikson; two sisters, Alma Polzin and Ruby Wirts.