Obituary of Janine L. Bjerklie

Janine L. Bjerklie, 72, passed peacefully on November 30th, 2024 in Duluth, MN. Janine was born on November 11, 1952, in Rapid City, SD, and raised in Minot, ND. Janine went on to the University of North Dakota and then to Kansas University to earn her bachelor's in Occupational Therapy. Janine moved to Duluth in the early ‘70s, where she worked as an occupational therapist, spending most of her career working for the Duluth school district, retiring in 2015. Rather than spending her summers relaxing during school breaks, she chose to buy and run 'Betty’s Pies' in Two Harbors from 1984 to 1997 while also raising two boys on her own.

Janine loved the arts, you would often find her at an art gallery or live music event. She saw the beauty all around us. She also had an adventurous spirit, trekking in India and Nepal, walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and singing with the Echoes of Peace choir in Cuba and Iran. Janine was also an avid gardener and a member of the Park Point community garden. She loved Duluth for its beauty, community, and friendships it brought her. Janine was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2018 but continued to live a beautiful life full of laughter and friendship.

Janine is survived by her two sons, Dane Bjerklie (Missoula, MT) and Bjorn Bjerklie (Duluth, MN), and her brother David Bjerklie (Cambridge, MA). Janine is preceded in death by her parents, Alene Bjerklie (Rystad) and Rodney Bjerklie, and her brother Patrick Bjerklie.

A memorial service will be held at Peace Church in Duluth, MN on Jan. 4th, 2025, with visitation starting at 10 am, service at 11 am, with lunch to follow. Consider sharing a short story you have about Janine.