Kermit Bjornberg

Kermit G. Bjornberg, age 94, of Willmar, died Friday morning, February 23, at the St, Cloud Hospial.

The memorial service will be held at the Willmar Methodist Church on Tuesday,
February 27, at 10:30 a.m. Internment will beheld at a later date at the Oak Hill
Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Humane Society of Kandiyohi County, the Willmar
Methodist Church organ fund or the Willmar Senior Citizens Center.

Kermit Gustav Bjornberg was born November 16, 1912, the last of four siblings, to Kandiyohi County pioneers Joseph and Hilda Bjornberg. He grew up on the family farm, south of Willmar and, with the exception of the World War II years, lived his entire life in Kandiyohi County. He would have had it no other way -- he loved being close to home and family, a man who cherished the leisurely pace of small town life.
Kermit married Arlyne Broman at her parents' home in rural Kandiyohi on March 28, 1942. They had two children, Douglas, born in 1944, and Karen, in 1946. Each had one daughter, Andrea, a Philadelphia resident, and Kate, living in New York City.

After leaving the farm Kermit spent his working years as a plumber, working until he was well into his 80s - his last job was helping plumb his daughter's home when he was 84.
Kermit grew prize roses, was an accomplished and enthusiastic card player, a life-long, struggling bowler, enjoyed hunting on the family farm, loved to socialize with friends, was active in the Methodist Church as both a member and frequent volunteer, visited the Willmar Senior Citizens' Center and Kandiyohi County Historical Society every week, was eager to go out for coffee and cookies at every opportunity and every year suffered the ongoing woes of the Gophers, Twins and Vikings. He lived a long and happy life and was incredibly active until the very end.
Kermit and Arlyne, his wife of 64 years who passed away just seven weeks ago, lived the past ten years at Westview Village in Willmar, surrounded by good and loyal friends. He lived to see his children and grandchildren grow to adulthood and enjoy happy and fulfilling lives. Few could ask for more.
He is survived by his daughter, Karen (and David) Daugherty, of Willmar and Alexandria, Virginia; a daughter-in-law, Linda Bjornberg, of Mendota Heights; two granddaughters, Katherine Daugherty of New York City and Andrea (and Craig) Dodson of Philadelphia; and numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlyne Broman Bjornberg in 2006; a son, Douglas Bjornberg in 2005; and one brother, Archie and two sisters, May and Violet.