Roger T. Bjerke

Roger T. Bjerke, 93, of Waukesha, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 3,2026, at his home, comforted by the presence of his beloved wife.

Born on June 12, 1932, in Spring Grove, Minnesota, Roger was the son of Henry and Alfina Bjerke. His early years were shaped by the values of family, faith, and hard work. Raised during the Depression, his father died while Roger was the age of 1 year. His Christian faith remained a guiding force throughout his life; he was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church in Iowa. Roger attended Decorah High School, where he distinguished himself as a dedicated athlete, playing center and guard for the Vikings football team and pitching for the Nordness Nine baseball team. It was through this experience that he met the love of his life, Darlene Barth, beginning a partnership that would span more than seven decades.

Roger proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After basic training he married Darlene on July 27, 1954, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust, Iowa. The couple spent two years in Fort Hood, Texas, before settling in Waukesha, which became their lifelong home.

For 30 years, Roger served the community as a dedicated member of the Waukesha Police Department and was on the department’s first S.W.A.T. team. Following his retirement, Roger and Darlene operated an independent Shaklee business for 48 years.

Roger’s spirit of service extended well beyond his professional life. A committed member of the Waukesha Elks Lodge #400, he served as Exalted Ruler in 1976, Committee Chairman to the National Veterans Service Committee for 16 years and was honored as Elk of the Year in 1988 and 2001. He also faithfully served as chaplain for American Legion Post 8, volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, and coached his son’s baseball teams. An active and lifelong Christian, Roger and Darlene were members of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waukesha since 1956, where he served the church in many areas.

Roger was deeply caring, patient and kind, a great man who saw the good in everyone and always sought to help others with quiet compassion in his community and as a police officer. Guided by his strong faith, Roger lived with gratitude and joy, loving to recite his favorite verse with his wife each day, Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Above all, Roger was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was the cherished husband of Darlene for over 71 years and a loving father to Todd (Karen Kroll) Bjerke, Julie (Brian) Baumler, Mark (Jeanette) Bjerke, and Jeff (Rene) Bjerke. His legacy continues through his grandchildren: Ben Bjerke, Emily (Jimmy Chen) Bjerke-Kroll, Amanda Kjome, John (Rachel) Baumler, Dayna Bjerke, Gary (Hannah) Bjerke, Adam (Kayla) Bjerke, Kari Bjerke, Melanie (Robert) Boulka, Stacey (Tyler) Semrad, and Jeremy Bjerke; and great-grandchildren: Summer, Willow, Aubrey, Sawyer, Clayton, Charlotte, Henry, Annette, Morgen, Parker, Freya, Oliver, Isla, and Colter, all of whom brought him great pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Lyle Barth, and sisters-in-law, Mary Barth and Jerene Jacobson.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Erik Richard Roger Baumler; siblings, Jerome (Myrle), Marland (Marlys), Herbert, and Mavis Solem; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Myrtle Barth; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arlys (Charles) Hexom, Roger Jacobson, and Lois (Robert) Smith.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., with the Elks Lodge of Sorrow service immediately following. Visitation will continue Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 424 Hyde Park Ave, Waukesha, WI 53188, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., followed by the funeral service. Roger will be laid to rest at Prairie Home Cemetery on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, processing from the funeral home at 10:15am.

Memorials in Roger’s name may be directed to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Waukesha Police Department K-9 Unit, or the Waukesha Elks Lodge #400.

The Bjerke family would like to thank ProHealth Care Home Hospice for their kind and gentle care of Roger in his final days.