Lloyd A. Bjerge passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on Aug. 20, 2015, at Harmony House in Brewster. Lloyd was born in Creston, Illinois, to parents Arthur and Lena Bjerge on May 2, 1916. Lloyd married Shirley B. Gustafson on Aug. 26, 1938, in Belvidere, Illinois.
They lived in Illinois, California and later moved to the Methow Valley in 1972 to be closer to family until Shirley’s death in 1981. Lloyd married Ann Ridens on Sept. 6, 1981, and they lived in Woodburn, Oregon, later moving to Twisp in 1997 until Ann’s death in 2000. Lloyd has enjoyed the last 14 years living in Twisp with his long-time partner Alice Glandon and their dog Harley. Lloyd worked many different jobs until his retirement from the defense department of the U.S. government.
Lloyd is survived by daughter Karen Johnson (Don) and their children Laura (Beth Sandford) and Andy Johnson and his daughter Jessica Johnson; daughter Lynn Bjerge; daughter Leslie Lochrie (Punk) and their children Shanna Laiblin (Eric) and Sunny Gifford (Kyle); stepdaughter Sharon Ridens-Sparks and her children Kambri McDonald and Rijn Staats. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren.
Lloyd Bjerge spent three-and-a-half years piloting B-24 bombers in Europe during WWII. He was shot down three times and became a German prisoner of war, escaping with the help of the French Resistance fighters. His hearing was damaged by the sounds of plane engines, bombs and machine guns.
Lloyd was a member of the Twisp Eagles, Methow Valley Senior Citizens Association, The 15th Air Force Association, 484th Bomb group association V.F.W., as well as the Methow Valley United Methodist Church.
There will be a family graveside service and then a celebration-of-life-service at a later date.
