Randall and Doris Bjerken

Palmer residents Randall, 50, and Doris Bjerken, 51, died unexpectedly while on a trip to Scottsdale, Ariz., with the Assembly of God Church.

Randall was born Oct. 23, 1959, in Moorhead, Minn., son of Robert and Sharon (Allen) Bjerken. Doris was born Jan. 1, 1961, in Woodland, Calif., daughter of Edward and Emma (Leno) Kreiger.

A memorial service in honor of Randall and Doris is Friday, May 13, at 3 p.m. at Colony High School gymnasium, 9550 E. Colony School Way, Palmer.

Randall was the Pastor at the Matanuska Assembly of God church and his wife, Doris, worked for Colony High School as an administrative secretary, who will be terribly missed by the community where they touched so many lives.

Randy served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman. He attended Trinity Bible Institute, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. His wife, Doris, received her associate’s degree. They moved to Alaska in 1995 and made their home in Palmer. They enjoyed hunting and fishing together, and Doris enjoyed gardening at their home.

Their children said they were blessed to know them as not only their parents, “but also as the people who instilled the values within each of them and are comforted by the example to live a life greater than life itself. Through their extended kindness they reached countless souls across the globe with uncompromising selflessness. We thank God that having lived life as one. They are able to walk through the gates of Heaven hand-in-hand. Though they will be missed and loved by their children and family, including their church family, we know that we will be caught up in the clouds with them one day. We love you, Mom and Dad,” their children wrote.

Preceding Doris in death were her parents, Edward and Emma Kreiger.

Surviving are their children, Chris, Corey, Courtney and Kenzie Bjerken, all of Palmer; Randy’s mother, Sharon of Moorhead, Minn., and father, Bob Bjerken of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brothers, Kevin and his wife Maria of Minneapolis, Minn., and Shawn and his wife Kara of Lake Park, Minn.

They are also survived by Doris’s brothers, Samuel Kreiger of Grand Forks, N.D., Jerry and his wife Madonna Kreiger of Sioux Falls, N.D. and Duane Kreiger and his wife Cindee of Moorhead, Minn.; sisters, Sally Entzi of Ellendale, N.D., Marilyn and her husband Merlin of Hazre de Grace, Md., and Violet Carson-Kreiger of Walhalla, N.D.

The family suggests Memorial donations be made to the Bjerken donation account No.1600348 at any AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla cared for the family.