Harvey "Ben" Bjornson

Harvey ‘Ben’ Bjornson, the son of Homer and Hattie (Andersen) Bjornson was born July 20, 1927 in Goldfield, Iowa. Soon after the family moved to Humboldt where Ben attended school and graduated from Humboldt High School upon his return from naval service in 1947. He was united in marriage to Emma ‘Emmie’ Dittrich of Tilden, Nebraska in November of 1949. He was associated with his father in service stations, car dealerships, and in 1956 started his own business as Bjornson Pontiac. Ben began his farming operation in 1971, sold the business and in 1982 joined Humboldt Motor Sales as a salesman where he spent 20+ years.

He was past president of Humboldt Chapter of Rotary International, a member of the Jaycees and Knights of Columbus (St. Mary’s parish) and served on the Board of Supervisors for Humboldt County for eight years.
Ben enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren, always providing them with toys including boats, snowmobiles, golf carts, bikes and scooters. Ben joined the navy when he was only 17 in 1945 and was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class in 1946. He was very proud to have been a veteran of World War II. In 2018 he was able to share an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. with his son Mike and his fellow veterans.

Mr. Bjornson passed away on November 20, 2019. He battled Parkinson’s Disease for fifteen years, but always saw the good in everything and everybody. He was known for a quick wit and sense of humor. He is survived by his five children, Michael (Pam) of Humboldt, Marcia (Mark) Ecker of Cedar Falls, Elizabeth (Gary) Bjornson of Sullivan’s Island, SC, Cheryl (Doug) Yanik of Cary, NC, Melanie (David) Graf of Argyle, TX, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma, his parents, two sisters and three grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, November 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt. Visitation on Saturday will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Humboldt. Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations can be made to St Jude’s Hospital or St. Mary’s Endowment Fund. www.masonlindhart.com