Obituary for Joan T. Bjorkman

Joan Theresa (Hesselberg) Bjorkman, 91, of Bangor, passed away peacefully May 3, 2025. Joan was born July 3, 1933, to Joseph and Anna (Heintz) Hesselberg. She grew up on the family farm in Fish Creek with a large family of 16 children. On the farm, she learned to embrace faith, family, hard work, and inner strength which grew throughout her life.

She married the love of her life, Lester Bjorkman, on August 26, 1952. Lester and Joan lived in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1952 to 1954 where he was stationed in the Army. This adventure showed true courage and strength. Traveling away from family, relocating to a small camper with no running water or plumbing, converting a dresser drawer into a crib, and extreme winters. She always said the sheets were frozen to the wall. As a young mother in an unfamiliar environment without today's comforts, she persisted with grit and determination.

Joan and Lester returned to Bangor to continue the tradition of farming and raising a family. Joan worked at Webster Lumber Company and retired from Indus. After retiring, Joan and Lester enjoyed snowbirding in Arizona for many years. Joan’s hobbies and joys in life were family, friends, traveling, camping, baking, and gardening. She was an active member of the Burns Corner Homemakers Club, a member of the PCCW, and belonged to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bangor. A true Wisconsin fan, Joan cheered on her beloved Brewers, Packers, and Bucks.

Joan was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whom you could always rely on for support or a helping hand. She may not have shared everything, but she could always be counted on to tell the truth. Joan and Lester hosted holidays that created family memories. Everyone looked forward to a home-cooked meal and a night full of cards, dice, and laughter. The family often joked, when asking for a recipe from Joan, your measurements may be a pinch, a smidge, not too much and not too little, or give it a taste and you will know. Joan had a warm and welcoming heart she shared with so many. Joan’s kindness was so sincere that all who met her immediately loved her.

She is survived by her two children, Linda (Lennie) Young and Michael (Sue) Bjorkman; three grandchildren, Amy (Stephan Roberts) Young, Tina (Ole) Mathison, and Melissa (Bryant) LeJeune; five great-grandchildren, Allison and Mason Mathison, and Amelia, Evelynn, and Celia LeJeune; brother, Dennis (Sue) Hesselberg; sisters, Jean Flock and Mitzi Smith; sisters-in-law, Barb Hesselberg, Carol Hesselberg, Rita Hesselberg, Karen Hesselberg, Bonnie Hesselberg-Howe, and Phyllis Bjorkman; brother-in-law, Don Peters; and many nieces, nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Lester Bjorkman; her parents, Joseph and Anna Hesselberg; her siblings, William (Lucille) Hesselberg, Lucille (Leroy) Severson, Hugh (Mildred) Hesselberg, Stanley (Lois) Hesselberg, Joe Hesselberg, Donald Hesselberg, Florence Peters, Charles Hesselberg, Larry Hesselberg, Robert Hesselberg, Doug Hesselberg, and James Hesselberg; brothers-in-law, Jim Flock Dave Smith, Virgil Bjorkman, Kenneth Bjorkman, DuWayne (Millie) Bjorkman, Wallace (Delores, Jean) Bjorkman, Robert (Greta) Bjorkman, and James Bjorkman; and sisters-in-law, Loreine (Lavern) Varley and Charlotte (Kenneth) Zimmerman.

In remembrance and celebration of her life, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Teresa of Kolkata Parish in West Salem, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow the Mass. A graveside service will be in Burns Cemetery.

Our heartfelt thank you to family and friends for your continued support throughout the years and to Bethany St. Joseph and Gundersen Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance during this time.