Detta Bjorklun
Detta Marie (Silvey) Bjorklun died Oct. 10, 2020, at Regent Park Nursing Home in Holyoke at the age of 91.
Detta was born on Sept. 6, 1929, to Homer and Eva Silvey in Alma, Harlan County, Nebraska. She completed her education at Haxtun public school in Haxtun. Detta attended the cosmetology school in Greeley and became a licensed cosmetologist. She also attended a food service workshop at NJC in 1990.
On Aug. 1, 1954, Detta married her true love, Daniel Ray Bjorkun, at the Fairfield Covenant Church in the community of Fairfield, northeast of Haxtun.
While growing up, Detta was found helping her parents at the Gambles hardware store in Haxtun. After the sale of the store, she helped her father as a tinsmith.
After marrying and raising her children, Detta held many jobs throughout her life. With her cosmetology license, she was able to open Detta’s Beauty Bar. Detta also worked at Melissa Memorial Hospital, Regent Park Nursing Home and the Ceramic Shop, better known as the Hobby Haven, in Holyoke.
She also volunteered to decorate tables at Sunset View for senior meals in Holyoke. One goal that Detta began, after learning how to text, was to send a joke or an inspirational message to at least 20 people every morning. This made them begin their day knowing that someone cared enough to want them to have a great day.
When her children called or visited, that was the topic of any conversation that was held after that. Detta would love to show her friends pictures of her kids and especially her grandson. She was known to brag about them whenever possible, with a big smile on her face.
A true friendship began when Detta began taking ice cream to the Viaero store where Lila Einspahr worked. Throughout their friendship, Lila learned that Detta loved chocolate and would never turn it away.
As a close friend, Lila began helping Detta in January 2016. Lila’s family came to know and love Detta as she spent several Christmases with the family. It was not unusual to see or hear of Lila’s children and grandchildren visiting her at Regent Park Nursing Home, as they loved to hear her jokes and see her smile. She had become part of the family.
Detta is survived by her daughter, Julie Ann Bjorklun of Portland, Oregon; son, Ray Deane Bjorklun of Portland; grandson, William Bradford Broeren-Bjorklun of Portland; and several nieces and nephews.
Detta was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Eva B. (Hallenbeck) Silvey; husband, Daniel Ray Bjorklun; and sister, Elaine L. Butterfield.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Baucke Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.