Joseph "Joe" R. Bjerkos

Joe R. Bjerkos, was born January 4, 1944 to Morris and Gertrude (Pellowski) Bjerkos in Viroqua, WI. He went to grade school in Blooming Dale and to high school in Westby where he graduated. In 1962 he joined the US Army where he served until 1967. He then returned home and started working with his dad at the Vernon County Highway Department. He met his bride in 1970 and married her on December 8, 1972.

Joe was a family man for sure. Francis was a mother of 3 and taking care of her mother and Joe stepped in and took care of them all. They lived in a small house in Blooming Dale while building their own home.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Francis; 4 children, Lillian Hagen; Emma Vian; John Bjerkos; and Joann (Travis) Dank; 5 grandchildren, Becky (Bert) Parker; Jeremy Vian; Nicole (Tony) Brabant; James Vian; and Brittany Vian; and 18 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his sisters, Annie Bjerkos; Mary (John) Suddie, and Millie Wood; brothers, Paul (Sonja) Bjerkos and Michael Bjerkos; his best friend and adopted brother, Blaine a.k.a. Bob Bjerkos (Nancy) Welch and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and family.

Joe passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Gertrude Bjerkos; a son, Dick Vian; a brother, Butch Bjerkos; a son-in-law, Dale Hagen; and a great-granddaughter, Elleigh Hill.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 12, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home with Reverend Clyde Ewers officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by VFW 2112 will follow in Farmers Valley Cemetery, Rural Sparta.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. and on Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.schanhoferfh.com

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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