Joan Bjerga

Joan R. Bjerga, 83, of Staples, passed away unexpectedly at Lakewood Hospital on May 13, 2023. Services will take place at 11am on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Motley Free Methodist Church with visitation on hour prior to services. Interment will be at Motley Public Cemetery.

Joan was born on March 1, 1940, to Frank and Lila (Marsh) Kowalski where she grew up on a farm southwest of Staples. She married Rudy Bjerga on September 24, 1960. They moved to the Twin Cities and raised their family. Her life in the cities was raising her four children as well as selling Avon for many years until they purchased the farm. In 1981 they purchased The Friendly Inn. Joan worked many hours over the 42 years that they owned the Friendly. From bartending to cooking all the soups and prepping the weekly prime rib that customers always commented on how good it was. She enjoyed visiting with everyone over the years. She was actively involved in the Friendly Inn until she passed. She and Rudy would love to go motorcycle riding every year to attend The Sturgis motorcycle rally. She also enjoyed riding around Motley/Staples area with their sons.  She loved to go to the casino. Her family would take yearly trips to Las Vegas, Laughlin and Reno. She always seemed to have money left her in pocket when it was time to leave. Her passion, most recently, was looking through cookbooks to see what she could create for the next family holiday or when someone came to visit.

Joan is survived by her four children, Laurie (Mike) Craft, Gloria (Barry) Jansson, Rudy (Mary) Bjerga Jr, Joey (Lorrie) Bjerga; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; siblings, Frank (Shirley) Kowalski, Agnus (Ron) Carry. Brothers-in-law Mike (Judy) Bjerga and Dale (Lorna) Bjerga. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rudy and her parents Frank and Lila Kowalski, siblings, Lucille Etzler and Jeanette Etzler and grandson, Ryan Jansson.

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