Jon Andrew Bjorklund

Our beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather, Jon Andrew Bjorklund went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 4^th, 2009.

Jon, or “Andy” as many who knew him, was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 28, 1938. He was adopted by the most loving mother and father from the Cradle Society in Evanston, Ill. Marion and Edward Bjorklund took him to his new home in St. Paul, Minnesota at the age of 10 weeks, and then moved to Seattle in the early 1940s.

Andy attended Cleveland High School, class of 1957.  He spent two years at Whitman College in pre-med, then transferred to University of Washington and graduated from the school of Pharmacy in 1963. He worked for Fred Meyer Pharmacy for 34 years before suffering a heart attack in 1993 and retiring from the company.

Andy and Wilma were married in June of 1962.  They had two daughters, Heidi Lynn and Erika Alice. Heidi was Andy’s “little miss sunbeam” and Erika was his “missionary daughter” and both girls he adored.  He is survived by his wife Wilma, Heidi and Erika, and 4 grandchildren; Crystal Alice (21), Kimberly Nicole (l9), Katie Rose (16),  and Justin Andrew who is 13. He is also survived by Pat Hellekson his sister-in-law, his brother-in-law Terry Hellekson, his niece Nicole Owen and her twin daughters, Angelique and Victoria.  Andy had two sons-in-law. Robert C. Hanscom III and Waylonn Leon Hollis. Rob was always so helpful and mindful of Andy’s needs and brought such joy to him, watching sports or going on road trips as a family was such special times for him. He didn’t meet his second son-in-law until recently, but enjoyed many long phone conversations with him.  He is a wonderful addition to our family.

Andy and Wilma were able to travel the United States as he loved to drive long distances at a moments notice. They took many trips to see their youngest daughter who attended school in Louisiana, as well as taking his 2 oldest granddaughters on spontaneous trips to the Oregon beaches, California and anywhere he could take a nice long drive. 

Andy’s first love was the Lord Jesus Christ. He truly loved the Lord with all his heart and soul. God gave him the ministry of Apologetics. He so enjoyed sharing Jesus with others, especially children. Andy had a sweet and gentle spirit as a Christian, but never lost the twinkle in his eye when it came to teasing. He was so adored for his loving, funny ways.  He can never be replaced. 

His other hobbies were hunting, fishing, skeet & trap shooting, ham radio (KC7KD), CB radio (“Pistol Pete“), gardening and football.  He belonged to many clubs including; Ducks Unlimited, Armature Trap Association, Paine Filed Gun Club, and The Rhododendron Society.  His favorite pastime, however,  was studying God’s Word.  In his last few years, Wilma and his dear friend Gary Scott read the Bible to him, as he could no longer attend church services outside of the home.  He found such comfort in all of God’s Word and was always amazed at how much more he could learn as God revealed to him the things he wanted Andy to know.

Due to his health, the past five years Andy had to spend most of his time in bed at home where Wilma and his care giver, Kimithy McManus and several other wonderful caregivers were able to try and give him the quality of life that he so deserved.  He was truly blessed by the love of friends, neighbors, family and Group Health Palliative Care medical staff who made it possible for our family to have him with us for so many years.  Andy passed away at Evergreen Hospice, in the care of wonderful nurses, doctors, aids and in the company of his family as he took his last breath here on earth. 

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday March 14^th, 10:00am at the Sahalee Golf & Country Club.  The address is:  21200 NE Sahalee Country Club Drive, Sammamish WA 98074.  The club requests no blue jeans, please.