Susan “Susie” Mary (Wallace) Bjerke, 78, of Hawley, passed away peacefully at home with her family on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Susan was born on March 14, 1948, to Leonard and Helen (Koehler) Wallace in Perham, MN. Her life began with a memorable journey home from the hospital by horse-drawn sleigh after a March snowstorm. She grew up on the family farm near New York Mills before moving with her family to Hawley in 1961. Susan graduated from Hawley High School with the Class of 1967.

Susie met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Bjerke, and they were married on June 10, 1967, at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Together they shared 57 years of marriage built on faith and family. In 1971, Susie and Bob purchased their farm and home in rural Hawley, where they lovingly raised their children.

Susie was a dedicated homemaker whose talents and creativity touched countless lives. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and quilting, and was known as an exceptional seamstress. While she took pride in a job well done, her heart always belonged to her family and her home. Her greatest accomplishments and deepest joys were found in caring for those she loved most.

Susie and Bob were founding members of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Hawley, where she created many beautiful prayer quilts for members of the community. She was a woman defined by kindness and warmth, always ready with a helping hand for anyone she encountered. Her faith guided every aspect of her life, and she generously shared her wisdom, encouragement, and many skills with everyone she met.

In retirement, Susie and Bob enjoyed traveling. They made two trips to Norway to visit extended family and also traveled to Italy, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States, including North Carolina, Washington, and Maine. They especially enjoyed trips to Branson for Bob’s military reunions.

Susan is survived by her children, Ennet (Gary) Sprunk of Hawley; Teresa (Mark) Saunders of Fargo; Melissa (Charles) Peterson of Fargo; and Leon Bjerke of Fargo; grandchildren, Colin Sprunk and Serena (Rafael) Graciano; great-grandchildren, Emerson and Allegra Graciano; and sisters, Judy Anderson and Joan (Ken) Wang.

She was preceded in death and is now reunited in heaven with her husband, Bob; her parents; great-grandson Fenyx Graciano; and brothers Norman Wallace and Jerry Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Susan’s memory be made to St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Hawley.

Visitation will be Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM, in Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 21, at 11:00 AM, in St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Hawley, MN.

Interment will be at Hawley Cemetery, Hawley, MN.