Gunnar Bjerklund Obituary (1939 - 2024)

Gunnar B. Bjerklund, 85, of Oelwein, Iowa, and formerly of Grayslake, Illinois, died Sunday morning, August 25, 2024, at MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center in Oelwein. Services will be held at a later date in Chicago, Illinois. Inurnment: Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois. Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein is assisting the family. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Gunnar Bjarne Bjerklund was born February 13, 1939, in Oslo, Norway, the son of Gudbrand and Anbjorg (Hagamoen) Bjerklund. After high school, he served in the Norway Army. Gunnar later moved to the United States, where he was employed as an electrical engineer. On April 3, 1981, he was united in marriage to Elsie Jane Barnett Nelson in Denver, Colorado. Gunnar enjoyed playing and watching hockey. Gunnar is survived by his 3 stepchildren: Allan (Kathy) Barnett of Oelwein, Bruce (Carol) Barnett of Elk Grove, Illinois and Cheryl (Ron) Schmalz of Romeoville, Illinois; 4 step grandchildren: Sarah (Scott) Burmeister, David (Amber) Barnett, Stephanie Schmalz and Stephen Schmalz; and 6 step great-grandchildren: Casidy, Jacob and Timothy Burmeister, Sophia and Gunnar Barnett, and Cadence Schmalz. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Elsie Bjerklund; sister: Liv Bjerklund; brother: Egil Bjerklund; and grandson: James Schmalz.