Laura Lee Bjornson

Laura Bjornson, 59, Fargo, ND, passed away after a brief but courageous battle with cancer on July 14, 2025, at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND. A funeral mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville, MN on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am, at the church. Services will be presided over by Father Todd Arends. 

Laura Lee Nordick was born on April 22, 1966, to Darrell and Rosette Nordick in Moorhead, MN. Laura attended Barnesville Public Schools with the Class of 1984. The city of Barnesville was the home of her heart and where she worked and raised her family. She dedicated over 15 years to making it a wonderful place to live. Not only was she certified as a local EMT, she was a well-loved head-lifeguard at Blue Eagle Lake during the summer months, counting many of the youth she hired as friends. She supervised the ice-skating rink in the cold of winter, and beautified the city by planting trees during the spring. She also became a cherished Home Healthcare provider with Care 2000, caring for the senior residents of Barnesville with love and kindness. Laurie’s life journey was marked by a deep commitment to helping others, and it was at Davies High School in Fargo, ND, as a special education para-professional, where she displayed an almost magical ability to connect with her students. Helping them achieve breakthroughs and watching them flourish brought her immense joy. Her passion for her work was evident in everything she did, making her a beloved friend to all who crossed her path. Laurie was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to making the world a better place, one kind act at a time. 

Beyond her professional life, Laurie was vibrant and full of life. She was united in marriage to George Bjornson on June 16, 1989 at Little Bethany Lutheran Church in rural Barnesville, which is also where her final resting place will be. With George she raised a beautiful and loving family who continued to light up her world until her final days, especially her beloved grandchildren. They enjoyed gathering for any occasion, but Laurie truly loved making holidays extra special.

She loved tending to her garden, growing both flowers and vegetables that filled her home with beauty and bountiful harvests. She had a talent for canning her own produce, delighting her family with the fruits of her labor. Laurie had a big heart for animals too—raising Shih Tzu dogs, pigs, and chickens on her beloved hobby farm. Her love for nature was boundless, whether she was hiking, kayaking, swimming, or collecting heart-shaped rocks along her paths.

Laurie was not just amazing; she was compassionate, unbreakable, and strong. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be remembered forever. She treated everyone she encountered with kindness and respect, embracing their unique struggles and abilities with open arms.

Laurie is survived by her loving husband, George; children: Christopher (Katie) Bjornson, Lacey (Shae) Mielke, Callee (Jake) Larsen; grandchildren: Jack, Cora, and Simon Bjornson, Colton & Kyler Mielke, Lucy Bjornson; parents: Darrell and Rosette Nordick; sisters: Cindy (Dan) Mason, Susie (Ryan) Fox; nephew Matt Mason and niece Kiley Fox; many other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, fur babies, and special unofficial family; Davies High School Paraprofessionals.