The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 47 BJERKE, Arthur “Art” WWII Art was born in 1919 in the Norquay District of Saskatchewan. He joined the Canadian Army in 1940 before his sisters, Evelyn and Eva, did. Lance Corporal Bjerke served in Holland and Germany and he returned home after VE-Day to be discharged in 1946. He farmed north of Pelly after the war and he died in 1978. BJERKE, Eva Emilia WWII Eva was born in Saskatchewan’s Norquay District in 1925. She joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and took her basic training at Vermillion, Alberta. Corporal Bjerke was stationed in Chilliwack, British Columbia and served as an orderly room clerk before being discharged in 1944. Her sister Eva and brother Art also joined the Army from the Bjerke family farm. Eva passed away in 1991. BJERKE, Evelyn Abrenethy WWII Evelyn was born in 1924 in the Norquay District of Saskatchewan. She joined the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1942, took her basic training in Vermillion, Alberta, and wanted to drive a truck but was considered too small. Evelyn was stationed in Nanaimo, British Columbia and later transferred to the Victoria Gordon Head Hospital where she found it difficult at times because they treated some POWs there. Private Bjerke was discharged on June 17, 1943 and was awarded the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal. She married Jacob “Jack” Betz on October 2, 1946 and joined the Women’s Auxiliary to The Canadian Legion after her discharge. When Evelyn moved to St. Paul’s Lutheran Care Home in Melville, Saskatchewan, she was very proud to be asked to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony held by the Melville Legion at St. Paul’s. A recipient of a 50-year Legion pin, Evelyn died in 2006.
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