Pastor, wife killed in Arizona

PALMER — An administrative secretary at Colony High School and the pastor of a local church were killed on Mother’s Day while walking down a sidewalk in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The parents of four former and current CHS students, Doris and Randy Bjerken reportedly were on a Matanuska Assembly of God retreat at the time of the Sunday morning incident.

According to KNXV television news in Scottsdale, a 23-year-old male driver had driven a GMC sport utility vehicle onto the sidewalk and struck the couple and a power pole. Both were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals.

Although Scottsdale authorities don’t believe drugs or alcohol played a part in the accident, it is still under investigation. The driver was treated for nonlife-threatening injuries and later released.

The church at 12801 West Arctic Ave. in Palmer held a prayer gathering Monday evening.

“This is a great loss for the Bjerken children, as well as the Matanuska Assembly and the Alaska Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God,” Ministry Network Superintendent Bill Welch said Monday. “Human words are not sufficient to bring understanding in an hour of such tragic loss.”

Welch said Rev. Bjerken served the Assemblies of God Fellowship as an ordained minister for 26 years, and at Matanuska Assembly of God since 1995.

Mat-Su Borough School District Spokeswoman Catherine Esary said Monday the entire district is mourning the loss and that extra counselors are on hand at CHS.

“Everyone in the district knows and loves Doris and she will be greatly missed,” Esary said. “It’s just sad for everyone. I’ve had calls from lots of administrative staff to help the family any way they can.”

Esary said the couple’s four children all attended CHS and one of them is still a student at the school.

Contact K.T. McKee at kate.mckee@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.