Long-time, retired Black River Falls High School chemistry and physics teacher, Gerald M. Bjerke, age 68, of Black River Falls, Wis., died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire, Wis.

Gerald was born on April 22, 1935, near Albert Lea to Alma (Overland) and Melvin Bjerke. He was raised in the Albert Lea area. He was a 1952 graduate of Albert Lea High School. In 1955 Gerald graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He later obtained his master’s degree at the University of Mississippi.

On Aug. 2, 1967, Gerald married the former Lucille J. Larson at Mauston, Wis. Gerald taught at Spring Grove, Minn., for one year. He later was employed by the Rand Corporation establishing computer systems for the Strategic Air Command. In 1961, he moved to Black River Falls where he taught chemistry and physics at Black River Falls Senior High School for 33 years. He retired in 1993.

Following his retirement from teaching, Gerald and his wife, Lucille, spent the summers on Lake Arbutus in Hatfield and the winters in Green Valley, Ariz.

Gerald was a member of the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church and served as the congregation’s president and later as its treasurer. He was also a member of the Growth Investment Club and an affiliate member of the Desert Hills Lutheran Church of Green Valley, Ariz. He was also a former member of the Black River Falls Jaycees.

Survivors include his wife, Lucille of Black River Falls; a daughter, Dr. Kari Bjerke MD of Green Valley, Ariz.; a son, Lee (Victoria) Bjerke of Decorah, Iowa; two granddaughters: Stefanie and Cassie Bjerke of Decorah, Iowa; two

sisters, Marion Rude of Decorah, Iowa, and Gretta (Donald) Hahn of Cincinnati, Ohio; a brother, Keith Bjerke of Albert Lea; and numerous

nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial services were held July 5 at the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rev. Karl Korbel officiated.

The family prefers that memorials be given to either the Black River Falls Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Black River Falls Area

Foundation, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, was in charge of arrangements.