Stephen L. Bjorklund

Stephen “Steve” Leonard Bjorklund was welcomed into heaven on Monday, June 26, 2023, at his home in Foreston, Minnesota, at the age of 75.

Steve’s story begins at Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis on January 28, 1948, where he was welcomed by his parents, Leonard and Corrine, and older sister, Diane. After living in Edina for 12 years, Steve’s family moved next door to his future wife, Sheryl Koelfgen, in Wayzata on Holy Name Drive, igniting the spark for their future love story.

As a youth, Steve was an active outdoorsman, fishing and hunting with his father and friends. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1973, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Anthropology. He married his neighbor, Sheryl, in November of 1971, and they raised four children together on a 10-acre farm in Wayzata. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he had a construction business for 30 years, designing and building houses both in Minnesota and abroad in places like Japan.

Outside of work, Steve was active in his local church’s music ministry playing the harmonica. He was passionate about sharing Jesus’s love with people, participating in multiple mission trips to places like Honduras and Guatemala, as well as serving in the Gideon’s prison ministry for 23 years. He remained an active outdoorsman, continuing to fish and hunt. His most recent hunting adventure included a trip with his son Aaron and lifelong friend Pat to Montana, where multiple grouse met their demise and many memories were made. Steve was most content writing and illustrating his many short stories or woodcrafting at home. An avid artist, he created his own “shadow painting” technique, which he taught to local school children as well as his grandkids. After retirement, Steve turned his love of woodcrafting into a creative outlet, building birdhouses, garden boxes, outdoor furniture, and his original “Dreamer’s Swing.”

Predeceased by parents Len and Corrine (and a few hunting dogs), Steve’s legacy continues on with his wife of 51 years, Sheryl; his four children, Aaron (Amanda) Bjorklund, Clayton (Sarah) Bjorklund, Rachel (Josh) Norby, and Leah (Jose) Ziebart; his grandchildren, Morgan, Rylee, Aubrie, Paisley, Adelyn, Autumn, August, and Belle; his older sister, Diane (Martin) Bjorklund, and her two children Robin and Samantha. Steve is likely working on his next short story and illustrating it to share with his family and friends when they are welcomed into heaven.

Memorial services will be held at Lighthouse Fellowship Church in Milaca on Thursday, July 6, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM and a celebration of life at 11:00 AM, immediately followed by a family burial and light luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, family members ask that donations be made to The Gideons International at gideons.org/donate or PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 to help distribute Bibles throughout the world.