Barbara Bjorn

Barbara Joan (Rasmussen) Bjorn was born on October 9, 1932 to H. Henning and Martha (Jensen) Rasmussen in Kimballton, Iowa. She attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kimballton and graduated from Elk Horn High School. She passed away on June 30, 2022 at Karen Acres Health Center in Urbandale, Iowa following a stroke.

On July 15, 1951 she married Horace (Bill) Bjorn. Bill worked for the U.S. Social Security Administration, and as he was promoted, they made homes for their family all over the Midwest. Son Paul was born in Omaha, Neb.; daughter Emily and son Bruce were born in Grand Island, Neb.; and son Aaron was born in Burlington, Iowa. Along the way, they also lived in Minot, North Dakota; Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Ottumwa, Iowa. They made Creston, Iowa their permanent home in 1973 and enjoyed retirement there for many years.

Barbara was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church in Creston, particularly with the quilting circle. She volunteered with many organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Planned Parenthood, and the Gibson Memorial Library, and she was a member of the Bancroft History Assembly. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing with many bridge clubs over the years. She was proud of her Danish heritage and made several trips to Denmark and kept in touch with many family members.

Preceding Barbara in death were her parents, sister Jeanette Lillehoj and brother-in-law Eivind Lillehoj, brothers-in-law Pete Testroet and John Westwick, and son-in-law Michael Miller.

She is survived by her husband Horace (Bill) Bjorn; four children: Paul Bjorn and wife Jean of Cleveland, Ohio; Emily Miller of Johnston, Iowa; Bruce Bjorn and wife Michele of Clarinda, Iowa, and Aaron Bjorn and wife Melissa Murray-Bjorn of St. Louis, Mo.; three siblings: Clark Rasmussen and wife Joanne of West Des Moines, Iowa; Carol Westwick of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Laura Testroet of The Villages, Florida; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.