Timothy Bjerstedt, 64, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away on Jan. 5, 2026. He was born on March 14, 1961, in Hudson, Wis. to the late Gene and Mary Ann (Danielson) Bjerstedt. Tim spent his childhood in River Falls, Wis. among three brothers and two sisters before enlisting in the US Navy at Minneapolis, Minn. He was stationed at San Diego, Calif. as a helicopter maintenance technician in 1982 and was very proud of the time he served. He traveled abroad and experienced lifelong stories he would share with his family in the years to come.
After serving four years in the Navy, he was honorably discharged and carried his skills out in the workforce. Aerospace became a lifelong passion for Tim. He moved to Arizona in 1988 to begin his career with McDonnell Douglas Helicopters. As the companies evolved and merged, he went on to spend 12 years in Mesa as a flight line technician and tooling engineer with Boeing. His dedication to the field never wavered, and he continued his career with Northrop Grumman, where he spent 20 years in Quality Assurance. Tim’s colleagues loved working with him. They shared outdoor hobbies together, laughed together and loved to tell jokes and stories with one another.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Tim found an interest for the outdoors and loved fishing and hunting. When he moved to Arizona he continued his fishing adventures at various lakes. Each year he’d get his hunting tag and head out in the fall season wilderness, scouting for deer, elk, quail, etc. He enjoyed bow hunting as well as rifle hunting. Another hobby he loved was fixing up cars in his garage. Tim was also a big dog lover. The Labrador he grew up with was very special to him and over the years he took care of many pups that he loved so very much through his life. There was always a special place in his heart for rescuing dogs who needed fur-ever homes.
On Jan. 8, 1990, Tim married the love of his life, Thelma. He graciously became a wonderful stepfather to Jennifer and Philip. When his son, Timmy Jr. was born, it was one of the greatest joys of his life. He had so much love for his kids. He shared his outdoor hobbies with both of his sons, taking them on fishing trips, hiking and participating with them on school field trips. He influenced his daughter with his experience in Aerospace which started an aviation career for her. He shared his mechanical skills with his boys and loved swapping stories about fixing up vehicles with his son-in-law, Ryan. He was also blessed to spend time with his granddaughter, Emma Lynn. Memories of family trips to Eagle Pass, Texas, Rocky Point and Santo Tomas, Mexico were some favorites. Most days he loved to leave little notes with loving, kind words to his wife. Tim loved his family so very much. Tim was a loving, gentle soul who was a special husband, son, father, grandfather, brother and colleague to so many people he touched. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy lives on in the stories he shared, the skills he passed down, and the love he gave so freely.
Tim was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Mary Ann Bjerstedt; his brother, Ronald Bjerstedt; his sister, Cynthia Bjerstedt; and his son, Stephen Philip Franco. He is survived by his wife, Thelma; his son, Timothy Bjerstedt Jr.; his daughter, Jennifer Franco, and her husband, Ryan Duft; his brothers, Daniel (Debbie) Bjerstedt and Steven (Valerie) Bjerstedt; his sister, Kris Bjerstedt; and his granddaughter, Emma Bricker.
Visitation was held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Barrera Chapel. Interment followed at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Cemetery in Eagle Pass, Texas. Funeral arrangement in care of and entrusted to: Yeager Barrera Mortuary, 1613 Del Rio Blvd. Eagle Pass, Texas 78852 PH: 830-773-3211.
