Barbara (Lindquist) Bjork's Obituary
Barbara Lindquist Bjork entered into the joy of Eternal Life with her Lord and Savior on June 7, 2025. Barbara was born on February 16, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to George and Ruth (Johnson) Lindquist. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Oscar Bjork; her parents; two sisters; Grace, died in infancy, and Virginia Holst. She is survived by her brother, Dale (Elsa) Lindquist; brother-in-law, Clifford (Joyce) Bjork, sister-in-law, Avenelle (Kenneth, deceased) Bjork, brother-in-law, Rober t (Elizabeth) Bjork, and her seven children. Daughter: Susan (Keith) Gibney; Son: Donald Scott (Mary), Daughter: Dawn (John) Lundgren, Son: Dane (Joyce); Son: Jonathan (fiancée, Valerie); Son: Jay (Lisa); Daughter: Barbara (Martin) Cateriny. Grandchildren, Evan, Bjorn, Dane, Trygve, Maija, Taylor, Parker, Lilly, Landon, Kylie, Shane, Lance, Chad, Bryce. 22 Great-Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, bunches of in-law relatives, friends who ‘were like family’ and a zillion others who found themselves instantly loved by her, and loved her back!
How can we sum up the vibrancy of her 97 years? Barbara had a gorgeous-soloist voice, (as did Don), played piano, and loved music. She and her sister sang together in church when she was 3 years old. Her children remembering her singing as she did all the various household tasks to maintain a large household. She grew up in Mound, Minnesota, graduating from Mound High School in 1945. Her matriculation to the Moody Bible Institute was delayed when her mother died and she stayed home to work and to be a loving presence to her younger brother. Apparently, she and her beloved husband, Don, met as Kindergartners, but they got to know one another primarily at Calvary Memorial Church in Navarre. As Don used to tell it, his father was quick to point her out as extra-special, in case Don hadn’t noticed! He did. They married on Valentine’s Day 1951, just a few months after her Moody graduation. In all of their 60+ years of marriage, they moved as Don completed more schooling and pastored churches. After marrying in Minnesota, they lived in Richmond, Virginia; Buffalo, New York, St. Cloud, Minnesota; Wyckoff, New Jersey, Elmhurst, Illinois; Coral Gables, Florida; Nyack, New York; Silver Springs, Maryland; eventually retiring in Heathrow, Florida. 4 years after Don died (2015), in the Fall of 2019, Barbara moved into a lovely cottage, designed especially for her, on the property of her daughter, Barbara and son-in-love, Martin.
Barbara loved the Lord Jesus Christ…and then, Don. In addition to her love of music, Barbara loved gardening (weeding, too!), cooking (not so much!), and her various church friends. She loved children. In fact, she went back to school (University of Miami, 1981) in her 50’s and became an early education teacher. She loved people. She was interested in what others were doing. She was playful and fun. She loved a good tease and was ready with a quick witted return. With her daughters, she could get lost in giggling! She was a praying woman. With the convenience of 7 children and 7 days of the week, Barbara and Don prayed for each of their children, in-depth, on their designated day. She prayed daily for many missionaries and friends, read her Bible faithfully, and played and sang hymns at her keyboard until her hearing loss made that not quite as enjoyable. As much as she could, she blessed others. If you hung out with her long enough, and were ready to say goodbye, she would pray: '“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Receive that blessing from her, even now. She loved deeply, and was so very deeply loved.
We miss her.
There will be a brief, graveside service at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, June 11, at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
As both Don and Barbara graduated from the Moody Bible Institute, in lieu of flowers, any donations could be directed there in their names.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
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Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
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