Elmer Olaf Bjertness, 84, Minot, died Monday, October 15, 2012 at his residence.

Ole was born May 26, 1928 at Hatton, North Dakota, the son of Elmer and Anna (Haanestad) Bjertness. He attended schools at Hatton, graduating from Hatton High School in 1946. Upon graduating, he entered into active duty service with the U.S. Marine Corps on June 4, 1946 and honorably served his country. Ole returned to Hatton, where he was employed in the grocery and meat business there.

Ole was united in marriage to Joan Bjerke on December 9, 1955 at Hatton. They made their home in Montana, where he was employed at Safeway Stores in Forsyth and Sidney, Montana for several years. They moved to Minot in 1963, where Ole was employed at the Minot Air Force Base with the civil service program until 1989, when he retired. Joan died July 3, 1988.

Ole married Dorothy Pellett on December 22, 1990. They continued to live in Minot, most recently at the Dakota Terrace apartments.

Ole was a longtime member of the Minot American Legion, where he was honored to participate in over 500 flag presentations as a part of the Legion's honor guard team. He was also a member of the Legion's 40/8 group. Ole was also a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Golden K Kiwanis Club and NARFE.

Ole's loving family includes , wife, Dorothy, children, Greg (Rhonda) Bjertness, Minot, Jody (Darrell) Kraft, Minot, Dana (Laurie) Bjertness, Minot, Bret Bjertness, Arizona, and Tanya (Kent) Hanson, Marysville, WA; step-children, Sandra (Ken) Waterman, Rohnert Park, CA & Brenda Miller, Hamilton, MT; Eleven grandchildren; Two Step-grandchildren; One great-grandchild; brothers, Donald (Bernice) Bjertness, Billings, MT & Robert Bjertness, Hatton; several nieces and nephews.

Ole was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Joan and a brother, Benjamin.

Funeral service: Friday, October 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in St Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Thursday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Minot.
In lieu of flowers or plants the family prefers memorials be designated to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Building Fund or the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.