After having the time of his life, Jerry Jay Bjornebo, 78, died peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. Interment and Military Rites will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Cottonwood, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life will take place from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Wooden Nickel in Marshall, Minnesota. Please join the family for Hot Fudge Sundaes and Beer! Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall.
In his own words, I was born September 27, 1944, in Fergus Falls, MN to Dorothy (Reishus) and Edwin Bjornebo and raised on the Reishus Family Farm on the north side of Cottonwood Lake. At the age of 12, we moved into a house on the south side of Cottonwood Lake. I attended Cottonwood Public School. At the age of 16, I left for Montana to spend a year on my uncle Don’s Ranch outside Dupuyer, MT and spent a year cowboying and putting up hay. It was a life changing event for me. On January 30th, 1962, I joined the United States Navy, which turned out to be a 13-year adventure all over the world, one that I truly enjoyed and missed till the end of my life. I received a Good Conduct Medal Disability Discharge in 1972 due to line of duty injuries. After touring the United States for a while, I moved back to Cottonwood in 1973. In 1973 I went to work for Duane Fruin Trucking, and then moved into a trucking career, eventually owning my own company. I married my loving wife Renee (Hebig) Bjornebo in 1974 and was blessed with the opportunity to adopt and help raise our daughter Kristin. Another of the best things I did after leaving trucking was going into the gaming industry, where I was a dealer, floor supervisor, and pit boss. After working at Jackpot Junction and Firefly Creek Casinos, I moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and took part in the opening of Casino Magic, where I spent 15 years. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed all of the Gulf Coast. Renee and I returned to Marshall, MN, where we eventually bought a home and have resided ever since. I belonged to a number of Veteran Organizations. Be sure you look out for them!! I was a shooter, fisherman, motorcyclist, hot car lover, traveler, all of which I enjoyed. May you all be lucky enough to try all of the adventures you wish. Remember you only have one chance to give yourself the best of everything.
I am survived by my wife Renee, sister Jonna Bjornebo of Marshall, brother Randy Bjornebo of Fridley, daughter Kristin (Todd) Johnson of Mahnomen, and the two greatest granddaughters that could be had, Abby (Brad Trapp) of Foley and Ashley “Bruno” Johnson of Twin Valley. I also enjoyed the best bunch of friends a person could have, Tim and Lori Fruin, Steve and Robin Alm, Chuck and Judy Michaelson, Craig Post, Amy and Terry March, Don Gullickson, and many more. I spent many great boyhood and later times with them. There are many more, some have gone on down the road, and I enjoyed them all. I am preceded in moving on by my parents Dorothy and Edwin Bjornebo, my parents-in-law, Adrian and Dolores Hebig, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and some of my dearest friends, Craig “Postie” Post, Tim Fruin, and Terry March.
As I said at the beginning, “I had the time of my life”, and I will miss you all dearly. Who knows, maybe I will see you down the road!! Take care and “Anchors Away”.
