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Raymond, better known as 'Big Mike' was born June 7, 1931 on a farm near Berlin, North Dakota to Rudolph and Dora (Farnham) Bjorklund. At a young age, he moved with his family to a farm near Sunrise, Minnesota.
He attended school districts 138, 18, 81, and 15, and also attended Rush City and Pine City public schools in Minnesota.
He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in Pine City. He served in the Battery 'C', 257th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion from August of 1947 to March of 1950 and received an Honorable Discharge.
On Febr. 15, 1950, he was married to Betty Nichols in Mora, Minnesota. After his marriage, he worked for a dairy farm before moving to Fairmont, Minnesota where he worked for the street department for 2 years, and then went to work for Leet & Wagner in construction.
In February of 1954, he went to work for Golden Sun Feeds of Estherville, Iowa as a truck driver in Fairmont. He was promoted to salesman working in several area communities in Minnesota. While in Minnesota, he became a member of the United Methodist Church and was a director of Boy Scout Troop No. 188. He also became a member of Chain Lake Masonic Lodge No. 64 A.F.& A.M., Knights Templar No. 27, and Royal Arch Masons No. 50. He also became a member of the Fairmont Volunteer Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad.
In 1964, he was transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with Golden Sun Feeds, then in 1966 he transferred to Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1969 he was transferred to Grinnell, Iowa. There he became a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served on many of their committees and was president in 1971 & 72, and had also been on their board of trustees. In 1972, he was transferred to Fremont with Golden Sun Feeds. During his 42 years with Golden Sun, he won many awards and trips. In Fremont he became a member of the Fremont Shrine Club and also Tangier Shrine Center of Omaha.
Survivors: wife - Betty
son - Michael and wife Carole Bjorklund of Plattsmouth, NE
2 daughters - Judy and husband Michael Walsh of Leesburg, Florida
Gail and husband Jeff Dunn of Battleground, Washington
5 grandchildren
4 great grandchildren
brother - Bernard and wife Zeldora Bjorklund of Pine City, Minnesota
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, parents, 2 brothers and their wives.
Visitation will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont on Wednesday, July 21st , from 2 PM until 7 PM. At. 7 PM, a Masonic Service will be conducted by Fremont Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A. M. in the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel. The service is open to the Public. Then a graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 22nd, at 2 PM in the Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, Minnesota. There will also be a Masonic Service at the graveside conducted by Chain Lake Lodge No. 64 A.F. & A. M. Memorials in memory of Raymond L. 'Big Mike' Bjorklund may be directed to the family.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
He attended school districts 138, 18, 81, and 15, and also attended Rush City and Pine City public schools in Minnesota.
He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in Pine City. He served in the Battery 'C', 257th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion from August of 1947 to March of 1950 and received an Honorable Discharge.
On Febr. 15, 1950, he was married to Betty Nichols in Mora, Minnesota. After his marriage, he worked for a dairy farm before moving to Fairmont, Minnesota where he worked for the street department for 2 years, and then went to work for Leet & Wagner in construction.
In February of 1954, he went to work for Golden Sun Feeds of Estherville, Iowa as a truck driver in Fairmont. He was promoted to salesman working in several area communities in Minnesota. While in Minnesota, he became a member of the United Methodist Church and was a director of Boy Scout Troop No. 188. He also became a member of Chain Lake Masonic Lodge No. 64 A.F.& A.M., Knights Templar No. 27, and Royal Arch Masons No. 50. He also became a member of the Fairmont Volunteer Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad.
In 1964, he was transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with Golden Sun Feeds, then in 1966 he transferred to Des Moines, Iowa, and in 1969 he was transferred to Grinnell, Iowa. There he became a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where he served on many of their committees and was president in 1971 & 72, and had also been on their board of trustees. In 1972, he was transferred to Fremont with Golden Sun Feeds. During his 42 years with Golden Sun, he won many awards and trips. In Fremont he became a member of the Fremont Shrine Club and also Tangier Shrine Center of Omaha.
Survivors: wife - Betty
son - Michael and wife Carole Bjorklund of Plattsmouth, NE
2 daughters - Judy and husband Michael Walsh of Leesburg, Florida
Gail and husband Jeff Dunn of Battleground, Washington
5 grandchildren
4 great grandchildren
brother - Bernard and wife Zeldora Bjorklund of Pine City, Minnesota
He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, parents, 2 brothers and their wives.
Visitation will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont on Wednesday, July 21st , from 2 PM until 7 PM. At. 7 PM, a Masonic Service will be conducted by Fremont Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A. M. in the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel. The service is open to the Public. Then a graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 22nd, at 2 PM in the Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, Minnesota. There will also be a Masonic Service at the graveside conducted by Chain Lake Lodge No. 64 A.F. & A. M. Memorials in memory of Raymond L. 'Big Mike' Bjorklund may be directed to the family.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com