Mary Alice Bjork

Mary Alice (Olson) Bjork was born in Willmar, Minnesota, on January 2, 1933, to William and Jessie Mae Olson. She died at her home at Capital Manor in Salem, Oregon, on May 25, 2023, at the age of 90, with her daughter by her side. Her father was in the army and she lived in various places in her early years, graduating at age 16. She met her husband Elvin Bjork at St. James Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. Elvin often spoke of looking up to the choir loft and seeing the prettiest girl he had ever seen. They were married there on June 1, 1957. Elvin died a year ago on May 3, 2022, a month shy of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

Mary Alice was an ambitious woman excelling at everything she did. As a pastor’s wife, she sang in the choir, attended women’s bible study groups, and enjoyed teaching the Old Testament to 8th grade Sunday schoolers. She also served on the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Board of Pensions, chairing the board’s benefits committee. A woman of strong faith, she was dearly loved by her family who could always count on being included in her prayers. Mary Alice was also the quintessential working woman, and had a long and successful career in the insurance industry, winning many awards and recognitions for her achievements. She began her career in Boise, Idaho, and started working in state government in Salem, Oregon, in 1983. She retired as Insurance Administrator for the State of Oregon in 1997.

The performing arts were a lifelong passion that she shared with her children, taking them to countless operas, symphonies, ballets and plays. Entertaining, cooking and decorating brought her great joy. From elegant May Wine Parties to Swedish Christmas Smörgåsbords, she made every holiday and family gathering a magical event. She had exquisite taste in all things and lived her life with beauty, integrity and flair. Although she suffered physical pain and limited mobility in her later years, she was always wonderfully cheerful and bright. We’ve lost our star.

She is survived by her daughter Mary Frances Bjork, son Chris Bjork, grandson Peter (Heather) Rohling, granddaughter Maja (Justin) Rohling, great-granddaughter Ellie Rohling, and brother Bill Olson. She was preceded in death by her husband Elvin Bjork, parents and brother, Ralph Olson.

A funeral service will be held at Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Salem, Oregon on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 2:00 pm. Private interment at City View Cemetery will follow. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests that gifts in Mary Alice’s memory may be sent to Saint Mark Lutheran Church.