Obituary of Harold Allen Bjorge
Harold Allen Bjorge
(February 9, 1943 - February 28, 2024)
Harold Bjorge of Camrose, Alberta passed away at Foothills Hospital on February 28, 2024 at the age 81 years old.
Harold spent the first five years of his life on a farm close to Ferry Point on the Battle River. For the rest of his life this land held a special place in his heart. He, Gail and the boys loved meeting his parents Norma and Marvin, as well as his brother Myron, sisters Joan and Audrey and their families for wiener roasts and walks in the beautiful badlands in the river valley. He took a special delight in showing his grandchildren the fossils that were found on the land (if he could find where they were located, which sometimes proved difficult).
The family then moved to a farm one mile north of Bawlf where he attended grade school and loved playing football and baseball with his younger brother Myron and their friends.
In the 60’s he moved to Edmonton, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the U of A and then taught at Westmount School in the city. He later returned for graduate studies in French literature where he met a young library clerk named Gail Pluim. On her first day, in late summer 1968, she was having trouble finding books that the librarian had requested she locate. So Gail asked Harold, who she thought looked intelligent to help her. They found the books and then started going out for frequent coffee dates.
Harold and Gail were married in June 1970. He took a job teaching at Camrose Lutheran college (Augustana) where he taught until his retirement in the fall of 1998. Harold was a great teacher! He will be remembered by his colleagues and countless students for his kindness and intelligence, but probably remembered most for his sense of humour, which was legendary!
Harold and Gail had two sons Christopher and Benjamin and daughters-in-law Tracy and Shelly. Both boys each had two sons; Matthew, Erik (Ben and Shelly) and Jack, Andrew (Chris and Tracy).
Harold taught Chris and Ben to play tennis as young boys and some of their most cherished times with their Dad were on a court. Harold loved vacations with family, including his grandchildren. Norway, Cuba, Mexico, and the big Island of Hawaii were great family trips. He and Gail were also able to go on a tour of Israel and Egypt.
Harold was man of deep religious faith, he attended Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose for many years. Through all of life’s challenges his faith guided him. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother. He was a good man and will be fondly remembered.
A Funeral Service was held 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Messiah Lutheran church , 4810 - 50th Street Camrose officiated Rev. Bev Swanson. The service was livestreamed and can be viewed at the following link: Messiah Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Harold's memory may be made to Camrose Food Bank.
