Bjorn Stenberg Bjornstad, 86, Cando, ND died Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Bjorn Stenberg Bjornstad was born on December 7, 1923 near St. John, ND to Sigurd and Martha (Stenberg) Bjornstad.  He often asked his grandchildren and great grandchildren if they knew why he was born there, and he would tease them, and end up telling them that it was because he wanted to be near his mother. He lived near St. John for a few years and then his family moved to Rock Lake, ND where he started school.  After a few years, the family moved to Cando, where he graduated from Cando High School in 1942.  He attended college in Fargo, ND, before moving home to help with the family farm.  He later joined the US Army.  He served his Country during World War II.  After being last stationed in Germany, he was honorably discharged, and he returned home to farm and run an aerial crop spraying service.  He married Ruth Olsen on July 5, 1947 at the St Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake, ND.  They had 62+ wonderful years together. He retired from farming in 2005, but continued to raise a few acres of his favorite crop (potatoes).  

He had many hobbies, including:  Visiting with his many friends/family members, fixing up antique tractors, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing cards, reading western books, doing crossword puzzles, and playing chess.  He was the best story/joke teller ever, and he never forgot any of them.  When he was on a roll, he could keep us laughing for hours.  He was proficient in reading and speaking Norwegian.  He used these skills on his two trips to Norway, and at home, when he and Ruth didn't want the kids to know what they were talking about.  He was also the language counselor at his local Sons of Norway lodge.  He loved animals, candy and coffee. 

Bjorn never forgot anyone or anything, and he had a great sense of humor and wit.  Bjorn was a member of the Cando Lutheran Church, Hal Parker Post #79 Cando American Legion, and a charter member of the Prairie Fjord Sons of Norway Lodge. He was also a past director of the NFO and the local Farmers Union.

Bjorn is survived by his wife Ruth, of Cando;  Children:  Rollie (Michelene) Bjornstad, of Cando,  Linda (James) Gibbens, of Cando, Jon (Kendle) Bjornstad, of Dutton, MT , Julie (Larry Sivertson) Holien, of Cando, and LeAnn (William) Heisler, of Devils Lake, ND; 20 Grandchildren, and 17 Great-Grandchildren.  He is also survived by two brothers:  Pete (Joyce) Bjornstad, and Sigurd (Dorothy) Bjornstad, of Cando, and a sister Ruby (Ray) Reid, of Chinook, MT, a son-in-law, Terry Johnson of Cando, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Judith Johnson, his parents, two sisters: Margaret McIntyre and Lillian Lee, and two brothers:  Harold Bjornstad, and Kenneth Bjornstad.

Funeral Service:  Tuesday, December 29, 2009, 11:00 AM at the Cando Lutheran Church, in Cando, ND.

Visitation:  Monday, December 28, 2009 at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home, Cando, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.