MERCER ISLAND (April 13, 2011) – Retired Evangelical Covenant Church pastor Paul Bjorklund, 94, died March 23.
Bjorklund was born September 10, 1916 in Negaunee, Michigan. He graduated from Augsburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and earned his Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary.
He married Beatrice Johnson on October 16, 1943. She survives.
Bjorklund served Covenant churches in Chetek, Wisconsin; St. Paul, Minnesota; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Orlando, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois. He also served as chaplain at two Covenant Retirement communities: Covenant Village of Northbrook in Illinois and The Samarkand in Santa Barbara, California.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Carol Duffus and Juliana Bjorklund. No service was held, but remembrances may be made to North Park University, 3225 W. Foster Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625.
I will never forget the times Paul and I shared in attending Julota at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Seattle.
Our dear friend Paul Bjorklund:
When we met Juliana Bjorklund (Miss Julie) 17 years ago and she became a very dear friend of ours, we didn’t realize the extra treat we were in for, we got to meet her parents, Beatrice and Paul Bjorklund. Just like Miss Julie they became great friends of ours. It is hard to talk about one without the others, but let us concentrate on Paul.
Pastor Paul Bjorklund was probably the best and nicest Minister you could ever meet. You could not find a man more compassionate, generous and interested in peoples’ lives. No matter the subject you presented to him he would listen and make his thoughtful comments, always so kind and understanding and he would give a hearty laugh, if it amused him. We think back fondly to all the get-togethers at their places, at Miss Julie’s and at our summer cabin. Paul had a curiosity and a willingness to try new things. It was so enjoyable to help him with his computer and hear about his interest in writing. We had fun talking about Finland where his ancestors came from and his trips there and to Sweden, as we had lived in both countries.
Paul loved his wife Beatrice and his girls, Carol and Miss Julie, and he always had time to listen to ours and Miss Julie’s adventures. He knew and realized all the help and love they provided for him along the way. Thanks to Miss Julie’s great decoration skills Paul and Beatrice always lived in the nicest surroundings.
We admired Paul so much, he was always fun to be around. With Beatrice at his side he could face anything and we will never forget our visits to Covenant Shores. When Miss Julie and Doris, a good Bjorklund family friend, were there too, what fun and laughs we had talking about everything under the sun. There is always humor in the Bjorklund family and with Doris there is even more.
It is still hard for us to realize that we won’t hear Paul’s great laugh and see his happy face again. But that makes us more thankful for the memories of him. All we can say is that, Paul will be greatly missed, but we feel fortunate to have known him for these last 17 years, he taught us so much about life and set an example for us all.
Paul was a good friend, sharer of good times, and a confidant for many years, especially during the last years of his Austin ministry in Chicago and later, in Seattle. We have lost a valued colleague and pilgrim along the way. Blessings to his dear wife, Beatrice, and his daughters.
I will always remember Pastor Bjorklund as a cheerful and warm-hearted servant of God. Peace to his memory and to those who mourn his passing.
Paul was my Confirmation pastor at the old Austin Cov. Church in Chicago. It was during those years that my faith grew and I first began to sense a call to ministry that would ultimately lead to North Park Seminary and thirty plus years of service as a Covenant pastor (and counting). I will always remember him for his beautiful singing voice and for the time when he suggested to my elderly grandmother that we might not be speaking Swedish in heaven! Well done, good and faithful servant Paul.