Linda Ruth Bjork of Allen, Texas, passed away unexpectedly July 9, 2024, at the age of 81. Born December 22, 1942, in Perry, Oklahoma, Linda was the middle child of loving parents Herbert Valdemar Pett and Emily Julianne (Ziesch) Pett. She spent her early childhood in Oklahoma where her father, a Lutheran minister, served several regional churches. The seeds of Linda’s lifelong faith and dedication to God were sown in those early, formative years with her parents in Oklahoma and nourished throughout her life.
Upon her husband’s early death, Linda’s mother moved her young family to California, seeking opportunity and extended family. Linda’s high school years were spent in Garden Grove, California. She attended California Lutheran College where her artistic gifts and passion earned her a BA in Art. After working briefly in antiques and design, Linda changed careers to banking with Wells Fargo. While employed there during the 1980’s, Linda was honored as an Outstanding Woman of the City of Los Angeles for her dedicated service to the homeless and disadvantaged through The Women’s Center of LA.
It was also at Wells Fargo that Linda met James Gordon (Jim) Bjork whom she married in Garden Grove on October 16, 1976. In February 1980, their son, Darin was born, joining Jim’s two children, Mike and Marci. From day one, Linda extended her love to Mike and Marci as if they were her own, offering words of wisdom, a voice of reason, Godly encouragement and advice, and steadfast presence throughout their lives.
Jim and Linda made their home in northern California, Orange County and Los Angeles until Jim’s work brought them to Fairview, Texas, in 1992. The years in Fairview were rich in activities and friends for the family who quickly became involved in Custer Road United Methodist Church, Newcomers Club, Allen Eagle Touchdown Club, and various Bible studies. Creative and artistic, Linda also worked part-time in floral design and décor. Each association and involvement in Collin County produced deep and lasting Texas friendships that remain to this day.
After eight years in Texas, Jim’s work took him back to California in 1999. With retirement on the horizon, he and Linda built their dream home overlooking Lake Wildwood in the Sierra foothills near Nevada City. The beautiful home reflected Linda’s passion for art and design as well as her love of gardening. Jim and Linda celebrated 27 years of marriage before Jim died from cancer in 2003. Linda remained in the California home for five years, then returned to Allen, Texas, to be near family and friends.
The ensuing years in Allen were shaped and enriched with new and renewed friendships for Linda, along with travel, acquisition of Lily - a beloved Bichon companion, ongoing Bible study, her brother’s move to Plano, and activities with beloved family and grandchildren.
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Linda will be remembered as a woman of character and conviction, abiding faith and generous love. She was steadfast and caring in all relationships, known for injecting humor, honesty and wisdom when called for. As a lifelong follower of Christ, Linda was intentional in daily devotions and prayers, generous in her caring for others, studied and steadfast in her beliefs. Although often separated by miles from her loved ones, Linda was faithful to cover her entire family in her love, caring and prayers…a matriarch who was also a friend, mentor and counsel to all. Her example of unconditional love, unwavering faith, and courage in the face of adversity is her legacy that will light the way forward for all who loved her.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Mary Louise Pett, and son-in-law Mark Kearney, Linda is survived by son Darin Bjork (Melissa) of Lucas, Texas, son Michael Bjork (Laurie) of Houston, Texas, daughter Marci Kearney of Pleasanton, California; grandchildren Dylan, Madison, Mason, Lauren, and Camryn Bjork, Jenna (Justin) Holder, Kyle and Jacob Kearney, Kristy (Blake) Martinez; five great-grandchildren; brother Victor Pett; and a host of loving family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Linda’s obituary page or by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/linda-bjork After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
Memorials and honorariums for Linda may be made to Children’s Advocacy Center Collin County, 2205 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, Texas 75074 or https://www.caccollincounty.org/donate/ .