Richard Henry Bjerstedt, 88, of River Falls, Wis., passed away peacefully at his home on May 7, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished.
Born on Sept. 3, 1936, at the family farm in rural River Falls, Richard was raised with the values of service, sacrifice, and perseverance. Immediately after graduating high school in 1954, he answered his country’s call and enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served during the Korean War, an experience that shaped his lifelong sense of duty, discipline, and resilience. He spoke little of his service, but lived its lessons every day—with honor, humility, and commitment to others.
On June 1, 1957, he married the love of his life, Norma Jean Williams. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised five children. Richard was not only a devoted husband and father but also a dedicated farmer and a remarkably skilled mechanic. He and Norma ran their own mechanic shop for over 40 years—a place where neighbors came for repairs, advice, and often a good story.
Richard’s passions ran deep. He loved hunting, fishing, flying and exploring with his plane, and had a lifelong fascination with tractors, especially Allis-Chalmers models. In retirement, he continued to restore old tractors no one else could fix and finally found time to complete the many projects he had collected over the years. His mechanical genius and determination turned rusted relics into running machines.
He had a special place in his heart for dogs, and his one-of-a-kind nature made him a favorite among both animals and people. In his later years, Richard found joy in helping his children and grandchildren with their own mechanical needs, always ready with a wrench in hand and wisdom to share.
Richard leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and ingenuity. He is being reunited with his sons Jeffery and Eric Bjerstedt (Susan). He will be dearly missed by his wife Norma, their children Mark Bjerstedt (Lee Ann), Jill Kusilek (Tim), Sara Conway (James), grandchildren Maxwell Bjerstedt (Chelsey), Leah Bjerstedt, Jae and Jaz Conway, great-grandchildren, Winnifred, Reya and Odin Bjerstedt and all who were lucky enough to know him.
A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Bakken Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St., River Falls, WI.) Interment with military honors will follow at 3:45 p.m. in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to Autism Foundations and Disabled Veterans of America. Richard’s legacy will live on in every engine that runs a little longer because of him, every field worked with an old Allis-Chalmers, and every family member who carries his lessons forward.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
