Raymond Bjorstrom

LIFE HISTORY FOR RAYMOND BJORSTROM
Raymond Bjorstrom, who just celebrated his 87th birthday on Tuesday, passed away suddenly on Friday, December 12, 2008 at his home in Osakis, MN.
Raymond Arthur Bjorstrom was born on December 9, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to Alfred and Judith (Olson) Bjorstrom. He was baptized and confirmed in Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mpls, MN and attended Oak Grove School. He moved with his family to a farm east of Osakis in 1936 and continued working on the farm until being enlisted during WWII. He served his country with the 5th Air Force in New Guinea and Netherland Territories, the Bismark Archapelago and the Phillipines in the South Pacific Theater. He was a flight engineer and aerial gunner. He earned 6 battle stars and was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Good Conduct Medal. He flew over 100 combat bombing missions. He served as an aerial gunnery instructor in Texas and Washington for his last 8 months of service.
Raymond married Velma Samuelson on December 15, 1945 at the Bertha Lutheran Church in Bertha, MN. Raymond worked at two garages in Long Prairie for a couple of years as a auto mechanic, lived in AZ for 6 months and then returned to live near Fairy Lake. In 1950 they bought a farm and began farming full time in Little Sauk Township. They raised two sons, Larry and Arlan. In 1966, Ray started working at the 3M Company in Alexandria. He retired in 1987 and enjoyed living on the farm. In 2005, they moved into an apartment in Osakis.
Ray was a member of Little Sauk Long Bridge church since 1936. During the many years he served the church in all of the various leadership positions. He was also a member of the Little Sauk Creamery Board, the ASC board, Dist. #29 School Board and was a proud member of the Little Sauk Legion and the Osakis VFW Post # 7902.
Some of his hobbies included hunting, fishing and gardening. During the winter months he enjoyed bowling and was also an avid reader. His greatest enjoyment was being with his children, grandchildren and great grandsons. He was a loving and kind husband, father, grandpa and brother who will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of almost 63 years, Velma Bjorstrom of Osakis; two sons, Larry & Vicki Bjorstrom and Arlan & Cindy Bjorstrom, all of Long Prairie, MN; 5 grandchildren, Jacob & Yuri Bjorstrom, Chad & Hillary Bjorstrom,, Sarah, Tyler and Bobbi Jo Bjorstrom;2 great grandsons, Alexander and Joshua Bjorstrom; two brothers, Alden & Dorothy Bjorstrom of Long Prairie and Gary Bjorstrom of Osakis;two sisters-in-law, Delores Samuelson of Bertha and Gladys Samuelson of New York, NY; several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents and an infant sister.