Rudy A. Bjerga

Rudy A Bjerga, 79, of Staples, passed away unexpectedly at Lakewood Hospital on December 26, 2021.  Services will take place at 11am on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Motley Free Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Motley Public Cemetery.

Rudy was born on July 22, 1942, to Mikkel and Leona (Quade) Bjerga where he grew up on a farm north of Motley.  He married Joan Kowalski on September 24, 1960.  They moved to the Twin Cities, and he worked for Gateway Transportation for around 20 years.  They moved back to Motley and purchased the Farm that they currently live on and the Friendly Inn.  He started Bjerga Construction and hauled cattle for Tri County Livestock right up to his passing.  Rudy was the Supervisor for Villard Township for 30 years, was on the Todd County Planning and Zoning Board and was the State Fire Warden for the DNR. Rudy enjoyed visiting with everyone at the Friendly Inn over the years.  He loved to ride his Harley and travel to Sturgis and Las Vegas with family and friends.  He liked to hang out at his son’s pole barns with their friends to find out what the local news was.  He would always say he’ll never retire; he was active every day until he passed.

Rudy is survived by his loving wife Joan for 61 years; children, Laurie (Mike) Craft, Gloria (Barry) Jansson, Rudy (Mary) Bjerga Jr, Joey (Lorrie) Bjerga; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; siblings, Mike (Judy) Bjerga and Dale (Lorna) Bjerga.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Mikkel and Leona; and grandson, Ryan Jansson.

Services will be livestreamed via Motley Free Methodist Church's Facebook page.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.