Gordon Bjugan

Gordon Bjugan, age 75, of Donnelly, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2009, at the Knute Nelson Home in Alexandria. Funeral services for Gordon Bjugan will be held at 11:00a.m., Thursday, August 20, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Holmes City with Rev. Denise Croskey officiating. Burial will be in Trinity-Rose Hill Cemetery, Holmes City. Friends may call at the Erickson-Smith Funeral Chapel in Hoffman from 5-7:00p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00p.m., on Wednesday, August 19 , 2009, and at the chuch one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Gordon was born on October 3, 1933, to Anton and Alma (Frigaard) Bjugan in Pomme de Terre Township of Grant County, Minnesota. He grew up in Pomme de Terre Township and graduated from Elbow Lake High school in 1951. Gordon was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Germany; he was honorably discharged in 1956. After his discharge, Gordon farmed in Sanford Township of Grant County before moving to Bloomington. Gordon was united in marriage to Janet Mecklenberg on December 26, 1959, at Nashua, Minnesota. To this union two children were born, Mary and Jeff. Gordon moved with his family to Montrose in 1971. When Gordon retired in 1998, he and his family moved to Alexandria on Mill Lake. Janet passed away on February 24, 2006. Gordon found the second love of his life, Lori Lerbs, in June 2007, while playing bingo. Gordon enjoyed fishing, playing solitaire, bowling, playing cards, going to casinos, traveling, teaching Lori's grandchildren how to fish, and spending time with his dog, Bjorn. Gordon made three trips to Norway. Survivors include two children, Mary Bjugan and Jeff Bjugan, both of Alexandria; sisters Arlene (Orrin) Erickson of Starbuck and Marlys (Donald) Kruize of Elbow Lake; and his special friend, Lori Lerbs of Donnelly. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Janet.

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