Maynard Bjork
August 29, 2013
Maynard Alvin Bjork died on August 29, 2013 at the great age of 94! He was born on May 29, 1919 to Albert and Minda Bjork at home on the farm near Montpelier, ND. He attended both rural elementary and high school near home and then worked on the farm until 1946. He enlisted in the Army for 3 years, stationed at Los Alamos, NM, Enewetak, South Pacific, and Albuquerque, NM. Upon discharge, he attended the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND where he learned the auto body repair trade. He married Edna Nagel on September 4, 1950 and was the father of 4 daughters. After working in auto body repair shops in Bismarck, ND and Anaconda, MT they moved to Menomonie, WI where he earned a BS in Industrial Education and an MS in Vocational Education at Stout State University in 1959. Maynard was hired by the Des Moines School Board to start and equip the Des Moines Technical High School Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Core area. He taught this trade for 25 years, retiring in 1984. He taught all 4 daughters to change a tire and check the oil level in their car. He was a charter member and first President of New Life Lutheran Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0620 in West Des Moines. Gardening was his hobby as well as traveling with his family. He loved to tinker and was able to fix most anything!
He is survived by his daughters, Linda (Paul) Rye of Urbandale, IA, Judy (Bruce) Barnes of Cedar Rapids, IA, Sandy (Charlie) Scavo of West Des Moines, IA, Betty (Terry) Kochaver of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Marcia (Jeremy) Ziemer of North Liberty, IA, Andy (Amanda) Rye of Ankeny, IA, Brian Rye of Urbandale, IA, Sara (Bob) Meisterling of Cedar Rapids, IA, Brett Barnes (Heather Quick) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Kelsey and Nicole Scavo of West Des Moines, IA; great grandchildren Kimberlee, Kaelynn and Dyllan Rye of Ankeny, IA, with one on the way; sister Myra (Bob) Nagel of Montpelier, ND; sisters-in-law, Helen Bjork of Delavan, WI, Helen Nagel of Fargo, ND; and many nieces and nephews. Maynard was preceded in death by his parents; wife Edna; siblings Alton (Adeline) Bjork, Clarence Bjork, Jeanette (Carroll) Bogue and Lyla (Virgil) Swanson.
A special thank you to the staff at Walnut Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care in Clive, Dr. John Zittergruen and staff, the staff at Methodist West (ER and 4th floor) and Mercy Hospice in Johnston for the wonderful care given to our father.
Memorial services will be held at New Life Lutheran Church in Norwalk on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Norwalk Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Maynard’s memory to New Life Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Palma Quandahl
11/23/2013
I was very grateful to Sandy Scavo for sending me the obituary for Maynard, who was my neighbor for many years in West Des Moines. My deepest sympathy to your whole family.
Stephanie Gerleman
09/03/2013
I am so sorry for you loss. I am going to miss seeing Maynard and your family. He was such a sweet man. We were blessed to have Maynard and Edna with us. Take care.
Marilyn Russie
09/02/2013
Condolences to the Bjork family. I got to know Maynard and Edna at Walnut Ridge. They were a delightful couple!
M. Vance Gehlbach
08/31/2013
Sorry for your lost. I graduated from his 1965 auto body class. He was a great teacher and he made a difference in my life. Thanks Mr. Bjork! You'll be missed by many. God Bless.
Rick Lang
08/31/2013
God must have wanted some body work done after Dad got it up and running, or He just really likes Tech High teachers! You are in our thoughts..
JoAnne Silva
08/31/2013
Dear Linda, Judy, Sandy, and Betty, Henry and I are saddened by the passing of Uncle Maynard. We so enjoyed getting to know him better when we visited a few summers ago. He was such a gentle, kind person and I really appreciated our discussions about teaching. I could sense the passion for the kids and their best interest was still very much alive in him. Just think of all the lives he influenced and impacted. We felt very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend some time with both Aunt Edna and Uncle Maynard. That time certainly brought me much peace. Take care, JoAnne and Henry Silva
Marc Well Nagel
08/30/2013
Dear Linda, Judy, Sandy, & Betty,
All our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you. Your dad was a wonderful uncle to all of us. I loved being with him and his gentle, caring, and quiet presence. He was a true gentleman. The friendship of your parents with my parents has been one of the true gifts of life that we celebrate. I hope that all of us cousins can continue to carry on that friendship. God Bless, Marc
Kent Nagel
08/30/2013
My condolences to Uncle Maynard's family. I have fond memories of Uncle Maynard and Aunt Edna visiting our farm in Montpelier, ND when I was young with their flock of lovely, spunky daughters. I'm sure that Maynard's extended family was a joy to him and Edna through their long, full and happy lives. Best Wishes, Nephew Kent
Brenda Briggs
08/30/2013
Thinking of your family in your time of loss and sending prayers your way.