Marjorie Bjorklund

     Marjorie Bjorklund entered eternal life on April 5, 2024 at the age of 96, in Sister Bay, WI. She was born in Oberlin, OH on January 24, 1928 to Leo Holden, a professor of music at Oberlin Conservatory, and Lillian Holden, Dean of Women at Fisk University, and then manager of the Oberlin Inn. Growing up in a small town, Marge and her brother Lyman had a childhood filled with outdoor play, music, books and nature. 

     She was a graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School where she was president of the girls athletic association, with high school summers spent at a Hereford ranch near Flathead Lake, MT where she rode in cattle roundups, worked in the hay fields and cooked for the hay crew. She graduated with a BA  from Oberlin College with majors in fine arts and botany, and played French horn in the Conservatory orchestra and concert band. She attended graduate school at the University of Montana, receiving her MA in botany, where she had a teaching assistantship, was campus table tennis champion, and played in the orchestra. Following graduation, she worked for a botanical company in Ripon, WI.

     She married Richard Bjorklund in 1954 and was Mom to five children, Bonnie (Norman), Sigurd (Beth), Wendy, Jill (Pete) and Eric. She was grandmother to Paul (Jess), Emily (Glynn), Andrea (Jason), Alison (Jonathan), Matthew (Jess), Edward (Kate); great-grandmother to 12; and sister-in-law to Pat and Loyce.  

     Marge’s career in Central Illinois began at Lakeview Museum as a gallery docent and educator, and continued at Wildlife Prairie Park, beginning there as a volunteer when the park was being developed, then as a naturalist, holding state and federal licenses for wildlife rehabilitation. She was well known for presenting education programs at nearly every school and retirement home in the area. She was awarded the Illinois Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, and the Community Service Award. She later returned as an educator at Lakeview Museum, while continuing to present Saturday wildlife programs at the park. While in Peoria, she was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 

     She began playing the French horn again at the age of 80, and joined the Peoria Area Senior Citizen Band where she was the oldest member, playing many concerts at retirement homes for 15 years, until her recent move to Wisconsin. Her years with the band were some of her happiest, spending time with good friends playing music together. She was blessed with wonderful neighbors while living independently until the age of 95. She then moved to Scandia Village in Sister Bay, WI, where she made new friends in the community.

     Marge was an avid reader, life-long learner, historian, naturalist, educator, athlete, musician, botanist, neighbor and friend. Her family and friends will miss her very much.

     There will be a private family memorial service with burial in Baileys Harbor, WI.  

     If you would like to honor Marge, contributions are suggested to Open Door Bird Sanctuary (4114 County Road I, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; opendoorbirdsanctuary.org).

     Condolences can be sent to the family at P.O. Box 20, Sister Bay, WI 54234.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay, WI is assisting the Bjorklund family. www.caspersonfuneralhome.com

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