Brenda Gearhart Bjorlie, age 82, of Miles City

Brenda Gearhart Bjorlie, age 82 of Miles City, MT formerly of Pompey’s Pillar, MT and Pekin, ND passed away on May 28, 2023 at Holy Rosary Extended Care with loved ones by her side.

Brenda was born on Oct. 28, 1940, to Harry and Ethel Mae Holt of Monahans Texas. She graduated from Monahans High School and was baptized in the First Baptist Church. She met and married Bill Gus Gearhart while working for her father in his oilfield construction company office in 1964. The couple moved to Montana just hours after getting married to manage two of the family’s ranches in Forsyth and Pompey’s Pillar where they lived. Brenda, who was a city girl grew to love the ranch life and was quite the hand. Mary De’ was born later that year in 1964 and Sheri Kay was born in 1969. The girls were raised and worked alongside of their parents on the ranches.

After Bill’s death, she married Elmer Bjorlie in Huntley, MT in December of 1987 and gained a large extended family who she loved dearly. After Elmer’s retirement in 1992, they moved to his hometown of Pekin, ND in October of 1992. In 1993 she helped found the Nelson County Arts Council (NCAC) and served as Executive Director for 20 years. She expanded the organization to include the Pekin Art Show, which quickly became the biggest selling art show in North Dakota. She also created the Stump Lake Fine Arts Youth Camp that has served generations of students. Her proudest moment was when the NCAC received the ND Governor’s Arts Award in 2001 as the Most Outstanding Arts Organization. Significantly, Brenda led a multi-year effort to restore the City Auditorium for year-round use by the Arts Council.

Brenda served as Pekin City Auditor for 7 yrs and was a board member on the Pekin Park/Tree Board, the Nelson County Health System Hospital Board and the Nelson County Job Development Authority Board. She was a member of the Sheyenne Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Her most cherished memories were the times she spent with her family members. She considered the most important gift you could give was to love your fellowman and treat them as you would want to be treated.

Brenda is survived by her two daughters: Mary De’ (Tim) Hurr, Miles City MT and Sheri Kay Gearhart and fiancée Keith Luckett, Fort Worth, TX. Stepchildren Anna (Timothy) Donahue, John (Ann) Bjorlie, Paul (Crysti) Bjorlie, Laura (Chris) Harmon, and daughter-in-law Kathy Bjorlie. 1 granddaughter, 3 grandsons, and 5 great grandchildren. 27 Step-grandchildren, 52 step-great grandchildren with 2 more on the way and 3 great, great grandchildren. One Sister Mary Ann (Richard) Blake, San Angelo TX and sister-in-law, Jeannie Holt of Cypress TX plus numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, brother, Tommy Lee Holt and one Step-son, Pete Bjorlie.

Memorial Service will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Tolna on June 10th at 10 am with a luncheon to immediately follow. A private family interment will be held after the luncheon at the Sheyenne Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers she asked that you send donations to an Arts charity of your choice or the Nelson County Health System Foundation.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

10:00 AM

Saturday June 10, 2023

American Lutheran Church

218 Main Street

Tolna, North Dakota 58380

View map

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.