Dorinne Bjerke

Dorinne Bjerke, 84, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Ortonville Area Hospital in Ortonville, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Church in Milbank. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Pastor Michael Brossman will officiate. Burial will be at Milbank Cemetery.

Dorinne Pauline Bjerke was born on November 21, 1941, in Watertown, SD, to Emmett and Margaret (Thrun) Walsh. She grew up in the Watertown area, where she attended school. After graduation, she traveled to California to visit her sister and met Russell Townley. The two were married in 1960 in Gilroy, CA. To this union, their daughter, Jennifer, was born.

Russell served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Through the years, the family lived in several places during his military career. In 1977, they settled in Milbank, SD. Dorinne and Russell later divorced.

In 1980, Dorinne married Martin Bjerke, and together they made their home in Columbus, GA. While living in Georgia, she worked as a technical writer for Char-Broil until her retirement. Martin passed away in 2004.

In 2006, Dorinne returned to Watertown, where she worked for several years at Dakota Quilt Shop. In January of 2019, she moved back to Milbank.

Dorinne was a member of both Milbank and Watertown Quilt Guilds. Quilting was one of the great joys of her life, and she especially cherished sharing that gift through the quilt ministry at Central Church. She also loved her Boston Terrier, Mea. In her younger years, she enjoyed horses. Throughout her life she found pleasure in reading as a member of the Central Church Book Club. She was also an avid gardener, and her beautifully landscaped yard in Watertown reflected the care and pride she took in making things beautiful.

Dorinne will be remembered for her creativity, quiet kindness, and the warmth she shared with family, friends, and all who knew her.

Dorinne is survived by her daughter, Jen (Doug) Aden of Milbank, SD; grandchildren: Karista Aden, Britanni (John) Madsen, Samantha (Eric) Kelly; great-grandchildren: Jaraan Myers, Isabella Myers, Ethan Karges, Aubree Madsen, Makenna Young, Kyson Madsen, Isla Kelly, and Olivia Kelly; sister, Deborah (Steve) Wartenbee of South Shore, SD; and nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin Bjerke; infant sister, Sharon Walsh; sister, Jeanette Jensen; and former husband, Russell Townley.