The LeVern Bjerke family moved to Valley City from Hatton, North Dakota, in January of 1960. LeVern, who had been farming in the Hatton area, entered the life and casualty insurance business in this community.
LeVern, born on October 2, 1929, lived in the Hatton area until his move to Valley City. He married Mariel Huus, also of Hatton, on June 23, 1948. They have six children who have attended grade school and high school in Valley City: Karen (Mrs. Douglas Kratz, Valley City, North Dakota, two sons: Daryn and Bryan), Jack (Valley City, one son, Travis Lee), Cathy (Mrs. Richard Nielsen, Valley City, North Dakota, two sons: Jade and Josh), Loren (Valley City, North Dakota), Judy (student at Lakeland -Medical and Dental Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota), and Vickie (student of legal secretarial practice at Bismarck Junior College of Bismarck, North Dakota). One daughter, Janet, died in childhood at Hatton.
The family now lives two miles south of Valley City where LeVern raises quarter horses. He is presently the owner of the Valley City Insurance Agency of life and casualty insurance. The agency is affiliated with Provident Life Insurance Company of Bismarck, North Dakota, and Lincoln Mutual Life Insurance Company of Fargo, North Dakota. Mr. Bjerke is also a partner of the North Dakota Meat Exchange, a meat processing and delivery plant, located here in Valley City. This business is now located in the former Barnes County Creamery Association building.
LeVern, being a part owner of several AA and AAA race horses, spends most of his leisure time traveling to surrounding and distant states to watch the progress of these race horses. On the farm, several of the family's pleasure horses are kept for the enjoyment of riding.
The entire family are members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 30