Obituary

Earl Gerald Bjelland, who opened Mariners Elementary School in 1959

and served as an administrator there for many years, died Oct. 28 at his

Oregon home. He was 79.

Mr. Bjelland was born in Erskine, Minn. He received his bachelor’s

degree in education from Moorhead State University and served in the Navy

during World War II as an officer in the Normandy Invasion and Okinawa.

He married Shirley Utke on Jan. 26, 1945. After he was discharged from

the Navy, Mr. Bjelland returned to Fargo, N.D., where he taught middle

school. He later moved to California and earned a master’s degree from

UCLA.

Mr. Bjelland retired from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and

moved to Dallas, Ore., in 1980.

He was a member of the Dallas Trinity Lutheran Church and enjoyed

gardening, camping, fishing, golfing, travel and spending time with his

family.

Mr. Bjelland is survived by wife Shirley, and daughters Meridee

Thompson and Becky Benton.