By John Rittenhouse
The Adrian and Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth track and field teams mixed it up with 11 other teams at the Section 3A True Team meet in Slayton Thursday.

The annual event which decides which programs have the deepest team in the section was dominated by Southwest Star Concept-Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster on the girls' side, and by Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City on the boys' side.

Those teams represent the section at the state true team meet in Blaine Saturday.

H-BC-E had a decent day in its own right, placing fifth in the boys' competition and seventh on the girls' side.

Adrian placed 11th in both fields.

Three Patriot boys won a combined four events during the meet.

Brad Haak was a double winner after taking top honors in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs with respective 2:00.46 and 4:38.33 efforts.

Chris Willers won the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.41 for H-BC-E. Chris Fransman was the high jump champion after clearing 6-0.

The Patriots placed second in the 800-meter relay with a time of 1:35.9. Chris Reid, Fransman, Willers and Lee Walraven formed the squad.

Fourth-place performances were the best efforts turned in by Adrian boys Thursday.

Joey Anderson was fourth with a time of 11.67 in the 100-meter dash. Jared Brake covered 18-9 1/4 while placing fourth in the long jump.

H-BC-E's girls were led by Bev Wurpts during the true team meet.

Wurpts, who was second in the 3,200-meter run in 12:44, won the 1,600-meter event with a time of 5:31.83.

H-BC-E also placed second in the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 10:15.42. Cassi and Shanna Tilstra, Brittney Olson and Brittney Rozeboom formed the team.

A sixth-place finish was the best effort Adrian's girls could come up with at the meet.

Becky Knips, who was eighth in the discus with a distance of 92-6 1/2, placed sixth in the shot put with a toss of 30-5.

Here is a look at the team results and other notable performances by Adrian and H-BC-E athletes during the meet in Slayton.

Girls' standings: SSC-SV-RL-B 722.5, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 612.5, Westbrook-Walnut Grove-Red Rock Central 592, A-C-GC 586, Renville County West 577, Windom 535, H-BC-E 515, Murray County Central 454.5, Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin 401.5, Fulda 375.5, Adrian 293, Lakeview 90.5, MACCRAY 90.

Boys' standings: A-C-GC 727, MCC 640, Windom 554.5, RCW 538, H-BC-E 535.5, Fulda 495, ML-B-O 433, SSC-SV-RL-B 422.5, W-WG-RRC 411, T-M-B 390, Adrian 312.5, MACCRAY 254, Lakeview 176.

H-BC-E boys
Third place: Haak, high jump, 5-6; Reid, 100, 11.45.
Fourth place: 1,600 relay (Haak, Lee Jackson, Walraven and Willers), 3:40.1.
Fifth place: Reid, long jump, 18-8; Reid, 200, 23.76.
Sixth place: Lyle DeBoer, triple jump, 38-2; Tyler Bush, 3,200, 11:12.

Adrian boys
Sixth place: Anderson, 200, 24.14; 400 relay (Brent Voss, Jason Say, Brake and Anderson), 47.35.
Eighth place: 800 relay (Anton Klingenberg, Say, Roger Serfling and Voss), 1:42.77.

H-BC-E girls
Third place: Erin Boeve, 100, 13.24.
Fourth place: S.Tilstra, high jump, 4-8; C.Tilstra, 400, 1:02.68; Janelle Jenniges, 800, 2:34.2; Boeve, 200, 27.78; 1,600 relay (Olson, Jenniges and the Tilstras), 4:19.31.
Fifth place: Connie Lewis, shot, 30-11 3/4.
Sixth place: Boeve, long jump, 14-11; S.Tilstra, 800, 2:36.3.

Adrian girls
Eighth place: Brittany Bullerman, 400, 1:04.83; 400 relay (Sarah Gengler, Bullerman, Sarah Kruger and Amanda Lynn), 55.07.
10th place: 800 relay (Gengler, Kristina Wagner, Kruger and Lynn), 1:59.62.
11th place: 1,600 relay (Bullerman, Hillary Duin, Lynn and Chelsea Heitkamp), 4:46.96.

When Joe and I began discussing a getaway weekend, many destinations came to mind. We wanted somewhere within a reasonable driving distance so eventually we settled on Deadwood, S.D.

We planned to leave home around noon on Friday and return Sunday afternoon or evening. Because I like seeing new places, I knew I would enjoy the trip.

We eagerly set off early Friday afternoon and made it to Sioux Falls before deciding to travel off our route. Oh, what the hay, we were on vacation!

We visited friends for a few hours in Dell Rapids, S.D., before backtracking to continue west toward our original destination.

Interstate 90 is littered with billboards for various tourist attractions in the Hills. They become more numerous after passing Sioux Falls.

Wall Drug signs are particularly prominent. After awhile, we joked we should make a list of the things the billboards say you can do, see or buy at Wall Drug and stop to see if all the advertising is correct.

Other signs detail other more dignified things you can do in the Black Hills area such as visiting Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse Memorial, touring a cave or two, or possibly a gold mine.

It was a good thing Joe was driving when we passed the exit for the six-ton prairie dog exhibit (I might have stopped). Two adults pulling off the road to see that sight couldn't have landed on the dignified side of the list.

As the land became flatter and the scenery less interesting, I jokingly asked Joe if he wanted to play a game I used to play as a child while riding in the car. The object of the game was to find a car with a license plate from every state in the union.

About midway through the state of South Dakota I flipped on the radio. After scanning for stations I soon realized only one station came in. I began singing the western favorite, "Rawhide," to myself and to an unappreciative audience member. I have also been known to sing a rousing rendition of "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall" when I have nothing better to do.

I learned some interesting facts about farming and ranching on my trip. For instance, they only plant wheat every other year. I didn't know that! Also, it takes 20 acres to support a cow in mid-South Dakota versus one acre to support a cow and calf in southwestern Minnesota. My traveling companion shared all these facts with me. What a guy!

We reached our final destination of Deadwood around 9 p.m. Friday. We checked into the historic Franklin Hotel in Deadwood. Tired from our long drive, we decided to wait until Saturday evening to go out on the town.

The Franklin Hotel has beautiful antiques, and about $2 million was spent renovating the hotel.

We awoke Saturday morning to snow on the ground and predictions of more snow yet to come. We decided to leave Deadwood and drive into Rapid City. We knew the twisting, turning roads out of Deadwood would be treacherous with snow on them.

Once we arrived in Rapid City we checked into another hotel and went to the mall. Rapid City has a nice mall with many stores to choose from. I had a wonderful time shopping. I knew Joe was done for when he sat on a bench and wouldn't go into any more stores. It must be a man thing!

We decided to go back to the hotel (he wanted to take a nap) and I planned to continue on to Hobby Lobby after dropping him off.

I returned to our room after about an hour at Hobby Lobby. A message was flashing across the bottom of the television screen. The National Weather Service was advising no travel in the Rapid City area through Sunday. According to them, snow would begin falling Saturday night and continue into the next day.

This presented a dilemma; only two months before this trip I was stranded in the Twin Cities because of a blizzard. When we finally were able to leave, we were forced to drive home on horrible roads. I did not want to repeat that incident.

We checked out of the motel and drove back home. No fun Saturday night for us! We were relieved we left when we did when we found out more than 20 inches of snow had accumulated in the Hills.

My recommendation to anyone considering a weekend getaway (mine was more like a day getaway) is to make sure winter is long over before planning your trip. It will likely be awhile before I plan another getaway weekend. Every time I try to get away bad weather follows me. I hope my next travel experience sometime in the future will be better than this one!

By Jolene Farley
A room full of parents attended the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Monday night to express concern over the status of H-BC's vocal and band programs.

Speaking for the group, Lorraine Sandbulte said the quality of the high school music program has deteriorated greatly in the last few years.

"I am just sad, sad, sad, sad," said Sandbulte, who has been involved in the music program in various capacities for 14 years.

She said the senior high choir is singing pieces the junior high choir used to sing. The parents stressed the need for change in the program, or they felt there would be nothing left. Several students have decided to quit the music program unless changes are made.

Sandbulte suggested that maybe Jodi Ackerman, who currently teaches vocal music at the elementary level, should be allowed to take over the vocal program in the high school.

Alan Harnack, who was running the meeting in Chair Roland Crawford's absence, offered some background on H-BC's music program status.

He said a five-year sabbatical granted to a previous music teacher made hiring difficult because applicants knew they could be let go if the absent teacher decided to return.

When the current instructor, Dawn Griepp, was hired, she was the only applicant for the position, according to the board. "What if we let go of a person and there are no other applicants?" asked board member Ann Boeve.

After the band parents left the meeting, Harnack spoke in defense of Griepp, stating, "There are kids and parents that think she is doing a good job with the program."

The board's indecision on the issue was clear after a vote to terminate GrieppÕs contract split 3-3.

With Crawford absent, only six members of the board were present. The board will revote on the motion at the next meeting on Tuesday, May 29.

In other board business:
oContracts were terminated for elementary teachers Chris Louwagie, Angie Blosmo and Jodi Ackerman. A motion passed to rehire Angie Blosmo to work exclusively at Little Patriot Academy. Rehiring Jodi Ackerman will likely occur at the next board meeting, according to Boeve. Louwagie, a non-tenured teacher, lost his position.

oSuperintendent Tom Knoll suggested a more conservative dress code for commencement exercises. "I have had 20 to 25 people talk to me about the attire of our kids," said Knoll. Any policy changes would take effect next year.

oSuperintendent Knoll advised the board that a "re-examination of Patriot Millworks" is needed. "We are really violating, probably, a law," said Knoll.

Some H-BC students have been issued checks for $200 to $300 without payroll taxes withheld, according to Knoll.

By Jolene Farley
Owners of Chameleon Concepts, Twyla Schilling, Ellsworth, and Rochelle Leuthold, Steen, offer customers complete interior design services.

Schilling and Leuthold began Chameleon Concepts in April of last year. "We were both doing it on our own," said Leuthold. "We thought it would be easier, give clients more options and finish the job faster."

Schilling and Leuthold can help with any decorating dilemma. They shop for the products needed to update clients' homes, then paint, wallpaper, stencil or do whatever needs to be done to complete the project. This includes helping customers choose curtains for a window or pictures for a wall.

Clients "don't have to leave their home if they don't want to," as the duo brings the samples to them.

They say they get a feel for what a customer likes by looking at what is already in the customers' homes.

Both Leuthold and Schilling say they enjoy transforming homes with all white walls, and seeing the house after it is all done is "really neat."

There are more brave people around decorating with darker colors, they said.

People can be free to be original," Schilling said. "It doesnÕt have to be the same as everybody else on the block."

The most prevalent decorating colors today are sage green, taupes, dark burgundy and jewel tones.

"Don't be afraid to change," is their advice. "If you don't like it you can always repaint it. Don't be afraid of color."

Both partners have high standards for their work. "We aren't satisfied until the customer is satisfied," Leuthold said.

Painting, wallpapering or stenciling is bid by square footage. Clients are billed by the hour for shopping.

Chameleon Concepts has completed jobs in Ellsworth, Steen, Sioux Falls, Garretson, Pipestone and other area towns. They do not add mileage charges if they have to travel.

For any decorating needs, call Chameleon Concepts at 967-2106 or 855-2219.

By Helen Saum
Hospice Volunteer Coordinator

For the third year, Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital gave awards to three people in the area who have significantly contributed to the success of the Hospice program. The awards given were original Raku pottery vases designed with the hospice logo and made by local artist Jerry Deuschle of Luverne. The awards were presented at the annual Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction on April 20th. This year Angeline Willers of Beaver Creek was recognized as the Distinguished Hospice Volunteer for 2001.

Angie was one of the first people back in 1993 to sign up to learn about hospice care when Luverne Community Hospital started its Medicare Certified Hospice program. Angie and her husband, Burdell, both completed a 12-hour hospice training course and have been involved with the program since that time. Angie has individually volunteered more than 650 hours for hospice in a variety of capacities. Angie is a Hospice Patient Care Volunteer, meaning she is available to assist hospice patients who are living in their own home, apartment or those in the nursing home. Some patients' family members live at a distance so hospice volunteers like Angie help to fill in the gaps of whatever is needed. Oftentimes volunteers may begin as just someone to visit and check on them periodically.

As the patient's health declines over time the volunteer may assist with other aspects such as doing some light housekeeping, running an errand, picking up prescriptions or taking the patient to their doctor appointments. Other hospice patients may have family nearby and use a volunteer to come to give the caregiver a break. Other patients in the advanced stages of their illness may want a volunteer to sit at their bedside, read to them or just be there with them.

Angie has helped with many patients over the years, some who have been strangers, some who were people she has known for many years, but in every situation she has helped to provide comfort, dignity and quality of life for whatever amount of time they have to live. In addition, Angie volunteers some of her time helping with patients at The Cottage in Luverne. Angie has also served on the Hospice Community Advisory Committee for the past three years and is active with helping to raise money for the hospice program. Burdell Willers won this award in 1999.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne girls' track team played catch-up at Cardinal Field Saturday.

Three weeks after having the Tri-State Relays rained out, a slimmed down version of the event was staged in Luverne over the weekend.

The Cardinals took advantage of the situation to score 156 points while placing second to Southwest Star Concept-Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster, which won the team competition with 214 points.

Worthington, Fulda and Canby-Minneota capped the field with 118, 89 and 50 points respectively.

Two Cardinals won individual events and one relay team secured a meet title during the meet.

Victoria Arends and Danielle Cook captured the individual titles for LHS.

Arends ran 1,600 meters in 5:49.84. Cook cleared the 300-meter hurdles in 48.6.

Luverne also took top honors in the 1,600-meter relay. Amanda Dooyema, Jenni Christensen Hannah and Sadie Dietrich ran the distance in 4:17.36.

The Dietrichs and Amanda Aning placed second in individual events.

Sadie Dietrich ran 200 meters in 28.42, and Hannah Dietrich was timed at 1:03.84 in the 400-meter dash.

Aning tied a meet record while finishing second in the pole vault by clearing 10-0. Worthington's Marten, who also cleared 10-0, was awarded first place based on misses at prior heights.

Aning also cleared 5-0 to place second in the high jump.

Luverne's 800-meter relay team of Callen Bosshart, Cook, Maggie Vanden Hoek and Christensen also placed second with a time of 1:53.47.

The Cardinal girls will wrap up the regular season by competing at the Southwest Conference meet in Pipestone.

Here is a look at the rest of Luverne's top eight finishers from the Tri-State Relays.

Third place: Adria, Sherwood, discus, 98-5; 400 relay (Bosshart, Vanden Hoek, Nicole Willers and Aning), 55.01.

Fourth place: Maggie Kuhlman, 3,200, 15:27.67; Christensen, 800, 2:43.44; N.Willers, 100, 14.03; Tracey Scheidt, 300 hurdles, 51.46; Marissa Stewart, shot, 30-9 1/2.

Fifth place: Marissa Stewart, discus, 89-10; Chelsea Park, 3,200, 15:40; Scheidt, 100 hurdles, 18.26; Bosshart, 100, 14.6; Abby Klosterbuer, 400, 1:09.68; Patricia Willers, 300 hurdles, 51.71; N.Willers, 200, 29.35;.

Sixth place: Megan Johnson, 3,200, 15:50; Christina Smidstra, 100, 14.62; Vanden Hoek, 200, 30.04; Dooyema, triple jump, 29-8 1/2; Allana Gacke, pole vault, 7-0.

Seventh place: Nicole Cronquist, 1,600, 6:16.4.

Eighth place: Jessica Willers, 100 hurdles, 20.29; Park, 400, 1:12.61; Arends, 200, 30.66; Gacke, triple jump, 28-4 3/4; Sandra Willers, shot, 28-11; Sara Sneller, discus, 86-2.

By Lori Ehde
Now is a good time for local farmers to invest in soil conservation practices, according to Dave Rose, district conservationist with the Luverne field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

In April, the USDA announced new incentives for landowners to put ground into the Continuous Conservation Program.

The incentives come at a good time, considering erosion from heavy rains has shown where grassed waterways are needed.

"A lot of farmers have gullies, and I think practices like filter strips and waterways are a great way to heal these up," Rose said.

"I don't think most people realize what a great deal these are."

The incentives are offered as part of the National Conservation Buffer Initiative, which seeks to establish 2 million miles of buffers across the United States by 2002.

Buffer practices include filter strips, riparian forest buffers, grassed waterways, field windbreaks, shelter belts and living snow fences.

Incentives to participate in the Continuous CRP include:

oAn up-front signing bonus of $100 to $150 per acre at the start of the contract to help defray costs for buffer practices.

oCost-share and incentive payments that result in up to 90-percent reimbursement for the establishment costs of buffer practices.

oUSDA will pay the landowner rental for the acreage enrolled. Rental rates in Rock County can be up to $140.60 per acre per year.

The program and its incentives are available through the end of September, and Rose advises landowners to sign up soon.

"You never know with the next farm bill if these incentives will exist," Rose said. "These practices are really the best thing for Rock County and for individual landowners."

To sign up, or for more information, contact Rose, 283-8685, ext. 3, or Roger Carlson of the Farm Service Agency, 283-2369.

By Betty Mann
This article appeared in the "Headlight" in 1898 about the Nelson Bros. & Co. store on the corner of Main and McKenzie. It was where Loopy's is now.

"In this thriving city, situated in the richest portion of the Rock River Valley, the visitor is surprised to find a department store, entirely metropolitan in its character and equal in its proportions to anything of its kind outside the large cities. The building is an imposing structure of brick and stone, with pressed brick front, located on the busiest corner of the town. It has a frontage equal to three ordinary store fronts, besides the grocery frontage opening on another street (McKenzie) The store is 75 x 136 feet, two stories and basement. Approaching this building from the outside, one is impressed with the thought that the surrounding country must indeed be a garden spot to be able to support such a magnificent establishment. The extent of its capacity, completeness of arrangement and variety of stock is a surprise. The first floor is occupied by the departments of dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries and hardware. This floor is in one large room, the departments being separated only by shelving. At the rear end of the dry goods room is the cloak department, furnished with a full-length three-plate mirror, and carrying in its stock seasonable wraps of all kinds. Dress goods of newest styles, wash goods, ladies' furnishings, notions, etc., comprise a stock most attractive and satisfactory to the careful purchaser.

The show department, in the center front, between the dry goods and clothing is a model of completeness, including in its stock everything desirable in footwear for man, woman and child. In clothing, as in every department, it is the aim of the firm to suit the needs of its customers, and here they spare no pains to meet the demands of the trade, both as to price, style and fit. This stock includes everything in the line of menÕs furnishings, business and dress suits, working clothes, fur coats, hats, caps, trunks, valises, etc. In the grocery department there is everything in plain and fancy groceries, seasonable fruits, etc. In the hardware line they carry shelf and granite ware, kitchen utensils, fence wire, nails, churns, washing machines, etc. On the second floor there is shown the famous line of BuckÕs stoves and ranges, manufactured in St. Louis and unequaled for beauty, utility and wearing qualities. They handle also the "Insurance" gasoline stoves, a line which has special safety features, the burner being so arranged as to shut off automatically the flow of gas in case of the flame being accidentally blown out. On the second floor are shown also house furnishings, carpets, rugs, Japanese mattings, floor oilcloths and linoleums, window shades, lace curtains, portieres, blankets and comforters, sewing machines; also an elegant line of plain and fancy crockery and glassware.

The immense basement on a busy day presents a lively scene. Most of its room is utilized for storage purposes, while the rear end and east side are devoted to freight receiving, butter and egg rooms and shipping department. Twenty-five to $30,000 worth of butter and eggs annually are handled in this department and shipped to Eastern markets. During May and June of this year (1898) shipments were made in carloads. Besides this the firm shipped 18 cars of potatoes last season and has bought 15,000 to 18,000 pounds of wool this year. Total sales were $125,000 last year and will, without a doubt, reach $140,000 or $150,000 this year.

The business was established by Mr. N. Nelson, now senior partner of the firm, in 1876, when the town consisted of a few straggling buildings out on the prairie, with no railroad facilities, and goods had to be hauled 35 miles by team. In 1884, the firm name was changed to Nelson Bros. by the taking into partnership of Mr. S.B. Nelson, who now has personal supervision of the business. Four years later F.C. Mahoney, a brother-in-law of the Nelsons, became a partner, and the firm assumed its present name of Nelson Bros. & Co. These men are thoroughly businesslike and have built up their trade on the plane of square dealing, understanding that benefits to their customers mean benefits to themselves, and endeavoring always to give value received. From a very small beginning the business has steadily grown to its present proportions. In 1892, the firm erected the building which they now occupy, furnished it with all modern arrangements, and at present, 20 people are employed in the house to handle a trade which is not only very satisfactory but constantly increasing. People coming from a distance, either to trade or look over the store, are always made welcome, and the firm enjoys an enviable reputation at home and abroad.

Their personal character is of the highest, their achievements as merchants and businessmen have been most brilliant and successful, and we are but voicing the sentiments of their numerous customers and friends in saying they are among the most conspicuous representatives of the business interests of the place."

By Lori Ehde
Irid Bjerk had long retired from his 40-year Star-Herald career, but his passion for community news stayed with him until his death.

Bjerk died Thursday, May 10, in Luverne's hospice Cottage. He was 86.

Though he's been involved with many aspects of the community, Bjerk's friends say he will most be remembered for his work with the Star Herald.

"He's been with the Star Herald as long as I've known him. It almost seemed he was the Star Herald," said Larry Brinkman, one of Bjerk's closest friends.

"He knew so much about the community and the town."

Through his weekly Boy Off the Farm columns, the community grew close to him, as well. After his retirement, he assembled a collection of those columns and published them in a book.

Luverne's Brenda Winter interviewed Bjerk during the community's 125th celebration in 1992. Following is an excerpt from the resulting story:

He chronicled the births, lives and deaths of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Rock County residents. "I always thought just putting people's names in the paper is the best thing you could do for them," Bjerk said. His reward for his efforts was hearing those same people say, "I enjoyed what you wrote in last week's paper."

"There's no better feeling in the world than hearing someone say they read and enjoyed your writing," Bjerk said.

Forty years gave Bjerk enough time to know this farming town like few people know their communities. He knew the movers and shakers on Main Street and the "just plain folks" working the land and raising their families.

Because he was a part of the community and not exempt from it, in some cases he lived the news while he reported it. He felt the pain and fear of the 1948 polio epidemic that swept through the area. "Two and three children died each week for an entire summer. One week I think we had seven obituaries."

Writing those obituaries was more than a job to Bjerk as he and his wife, Roberta, feared at the time for the health and lives of their own two small sons.

During World War II Bjerk was asked to take the group pictures of the county's gallant young men as they were called to active military duty. The men, in Bjerk's words, "were going to be the ones to stop Hitler and Hirohito."

Bjerk took the pictures, wrote the stories about the troops' successes overseas and, when "those awful telegrams came" wrote the obituary telling the community that yet another of its brave young men had lost his life fighting for a noble cause.

...As an editor Bjerk said the biggest stories in his tenure were World War II, the polio outbreak, the blizzard of 1940, and the state boysÕ basketball championship in 1964.

Bjerk's friends remember how he took the job to heart.
"He was terribly conscientious. He never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings," Brinkman said Monday.

"He tried to be very honest and present the truth, but he was very careful about not offending anyone."

Luverne's Alex Frick said he remembers Bjerk commenting one day about how he was glad he didn't have to cover ambulance calls and take pictures anymore.

"He told me how that used to bother him. He really did care about people, and it really affected how he interacted with people," Frick said.

"To Irid, everyone had an inherent worth - there were no throwaways in his book. It's a wonderful way to be, but it's a hard way to be, because you end up caring so much and getting hurt."

After his retirement, Bjerk continued writing and become known as the local historian. Until recent years, he served as a contributing writer for the Star Herald, often writing pieces of historical significance as the need arose.

In addition, he wrote histories of the Rock County Courthouse, for local insurance companies, St. John Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church. He also authored "A Look At Our Historical Past," a booklet that accompanies the walking tour of Luverne's historic district.

Frick spent time with Bjerk in his last hours, volunteering to write down any pertinent thoughts as they arose.

As it turned out, his pain and subsequent medicated state made it difficult to articulate thoughts, but Frick said one message came through clearly.

"He wanted me to tell his sons and all his friends that he loves them and appreciates all they've done for him," Frick said.

This is significant in the sense that many will remember Bjerk for his own spirit of giving.

"He was always willing to help someone out, and he wasn't looking for accolades or a pat on the back," said Gregg Gropel, who worked with Bjerk on an award-winning Rotary newsletter.

Bjerk's obituary includes a long list of civic contributions to the community.

"Anything he took on he was dedicated to," Gropel said.

Memorial services were Monday in Grace Lutheran Church.