Magnus Alvin ’Al’ Bjornson

Magnus Alvin "Al" Bjornson, 82 of Barnesville, MN died on June 29, 2010. Al was born in Grand Forks, ND on October 11, 1927 to Sig and Freda Bjornson. He had an older brother, Fred; a younger brother, Darrell; and a younger sister, Lois. He attended school in Grand Forks, ND and graduated from high school in Moorhead in 1945 where he was known as a "tough" football player. He loved his country and was proud to have served in the US Navy. He attended Moorhead State University and subsequently began what was a long and varied professional career. Al was an entrepreneur by nature. He had a magazine route in Grand Forks as a youngster and in the early days he printed and distributed the Moorhead Reminder. He later ran the family insurance business as president of the Moorhead branch of Bjornson Insurance; created Bjornson Travel Agency; and participated in the formation of Moorhead State Bank. In 1980, he switched career directions and opened a unique gift store called Bjornson Imports, where many friends and family were employed, including his 80-year old mother Freda! He then spent the past 30 years as an independent sales representative traveling throughout the Midwest calling on yarn and cross stitch shops. Over the years he was a member of many clubs and associations including the Kiwanis Club, C-400, and the F.M. Icelandic Klub. He was also a charter member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Moorhead. He enjoyed hard work, believed in always serving his customers, and had no plans to ever retire.Al had many interests and hobbies outside of work: Sudoku; collecting stamps and coins; photography; bow-hunting; wood-working; gardening and plant propagation; playing strategic board games like Risk and Chess; fishing; and chain-sawing in his beloved north woods. Al was a huge history buff – with an avid memory for historical facts – especially related to wars – and he loved to share these stories and facts with his children and grandchildren. A favorite part of every day was the phone call from his special brother-in-law and friend, Russell. Al married Arlyss Evens Strinden in June, 1992 and for the past 18 years they enjoyed spending time together with friends and family. They had fun finding and cooking special new recipes and baked countless batches of cookies together. They also spent many weekends with family at their 'up north' lake home where the phrase, "another great meal at the cabin"' was often stated. He and Arlyss recently moved to Barnesville and became members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, and Al was looking forward to participating as a new member of the Barnesville Lion's Club. Al will always be remembered for his easy going and accepting nature, his deep love and commitment to family and Icelandic heritage, his big smile and bear hugs, and unannounced visits with coffee-flavored Haagen-Dazs ice cream in hand. Al is survived by a family that loved and cherished him: his wife, Arlyss; his three children, Kevin Scott Bjornson, Jody Leigh Martínez Bartolo Jr., Polly Bjornson Stéphany Marc; sister, Lois Bekkerus Russ; and sisters-in-law, Helen Bjornson and Jeanne Bjornson. Al had five much-loved grandchildren: Bartolo III and Lissa Jo Martínez; and André Nicholas, Sophia Elizabeth, and his namesake, Bjorn Magnus Stéphany. Al leaves behind many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sig and Freda Bjornson; and his brothers, Fred and Darrell. Thanks to the caring staff at MeritCare's Intensive and Palliative Care Units.