Rick Bjornerud

Rick was born in Minneapolis in 1954. His birth mother planned to leave me at the hospital. He was in foster care for three months and adopted by a Fosston couple, Russ and Betty Bjornerud. He graduated from Fosston High school in 1973 and Wadena Tech for Construction Electrician in 1975. Rick started doing electrical work in 10th grade in high school, working after school and summers till trade school and then full time. Work slowed down, so Rick joined the electrical union in Grand Forks and worked on the road for several years. As time went on, the children were getting older and he desired to be home more. He prayed for help passing his Master's license. His prayer was answered and he was blessed with a thriving electrical business for 30+ years working with hospitals, schools, elevators, local phone companies work and 27+ Central Offices. 

Rick was diagnosed with MS in 2003 and had to stop electrical contracting. He then became a pipeline inspector, starting as an Electrical Inspector then lead, then Chief, finishing as Coordinator in 2015. 

Rick has been blessed beyond measure: wife Sandy of 42 years, 4 children Troy - Chicago, Allison - Japan with her husband Carlos and children Kane, Rowan, and Senen. Jamie and Ashley in Bemidji with their three kids Tyson, Jamison and Thea. And last one Ashley - Austin Texas. 

Now his full time job is spreading the Gospel and serving Christ by example and volunteering as Chaplin at the county jail, NW Juvenile center and lead of the men's ministry at the NW pregnancy center, Rubies Pantry Bemidji and Clearbrook, plus numerous mens groups. 
Rick will share his testimony and finish with a talk about a Haitian mission trip in December.