Alvin Emmanuel Bjork, age 92 of Eau Claire passed away early Saturday morning April 16, 2011 at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, WI.
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Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday April 20, 2011 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1310 Main Street, Eau Claire, WI 54701. Pastor Gary Sahs will officiate. Committal services will take place Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm in the Big Elk Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery in the Town of Wheaton, Chippewa County, WI. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Post #305. Visitation will take place at the church on Wednesday morning an hour prior to the service.
Alvin was born on January 12, 1919 in Chippewa County, Town of Wheaton in the Village of Elk Mound, WI to Oscar and Mary (Johanson) Bjork. As a teen, Alvin worked on the family farm in Elk Mound.
Alvin proudly served his country enlisting in the United States Army on October 7, 1940. During his service, he transported munitions as a member of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division serving in New Guinea and Australia. While in New Guinea, he contracted malaria. He was sent to Australia and then hospitalized for 4 months in the Kansas Army Hospital. He earned an honorable discharge in October of 1944. |
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After his discharge, Alvin gained employment with Badger Ordinance Works in Baraboo. On November 22, 1952, Alvin married Pearl Betts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then was employed at National Presto Industries. For 5 years he was a truck driver for Dave Planert and Don Devney. He spent the next 26 years employed at the Eau Claire Federal Building in the building maintenance department. He retired in January of 1981. Upon retirement, Alvin and Pearl lived in Cape Coral, Florida, until 1990 when they returned to Eau Claire.
Alvin was a Life Member of the VFW Post #305, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. He liked to travel, and he enjoyed cars and cards.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Pearl who currently resides at the Clark County Health Care Center in Owen, WI, a brother Oscar Bjork (Sue) of Sleepy Hollow, IL and a sister Marion Harris of Janesville, WI. He is also survived by cousins Wally (Elaine) Bjork of Elk Mound and Beverly (Jim) Spagnoletti of Menomonie and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Clarence, Paul and Carl Bjork.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Alvin's name to VFW Post #305, 1300 Starr Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703 or Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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