Michael “Mike” Ralph Bjelland

June 29, 1958 ~ August 16, 2019

Mike R. Bjelland, 61, Brandon, died Friday, August 16, 2019, at his home following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Visitation will be 4-6pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will begin at 6pm.  A reception will follow at the Brandon VFW.

A memorial to Mike has been established in lieu of flowers.

Mike was born in Minneapolis, MN, on June 29, 1958, to Ralph & Violet (Johnson) Bjelland. He was baptized at Lands Church in Hoffman, MN. Mike graduated from Fridley High School in Fridley, MN, in May of 1976. He then attended Alexandria Area Technical Institute in June of 1977. Mike worked for several different companies including Fleet Farm and Douglas MFG before coming to work for Cenex Harvest States (CHS). He worked at several locations for CHS until coming to Ellis, SD to open and manage a truck dispatch terminal.

Mike met and married Debra Nelson and the couple had a beautiful daughter they named Lacey. Eventually, Mike married Deb Carpenter. Mike and Deb considered themselves extremely blessed with their three children, Lacey, Sherman, and Michael. Mike loved his kids and being together for family occasions and special events was very important. Christmas was especially important for Mike as Santa delivered all of the presents to the kids and three grandchildren, Hunter, Hayden, and Carter. The excitement was was theirs but the joy was his.

Mike loved to hunt and spending time with his friends. He would do anything to help anyone in need. He also liked to cook and made some yummy meals. Mike also had a passion for his car which he was very fond of.

Mike will be deeply missed by his wife, Deb; three children, Lacey (Eric) Springer, Alexandria, MN, Sherman (Yesenia Guzman) Junker, Sioux Falls, and Michael (Kathryn) Bjelland, Sioux Falls; three grandchildren, Hunter, Hayden, and Carter; mother, Violet Bjelland, Alexandria, MN; sister, Cynthia (Mark) Starner, Hoffman, MN; and mother-in-law, Carol Carpenter, Hopkins, MN; and many other family and friends, including his fur babies, Tache and Windsor.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Ralph; father-in-law, James Carpenter; Aunt Anna Marie Vinneau, and Uncle Eugene Jones.

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