Bjorn Lund, 70, died on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wis., as a result of metastatic melanoma.

Bjorn was born July 26, 1943, to Berger and Gladys (Braaten) Lund in Whitehall, Wis. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1961 and attended the University of Montana-Missoula, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and graduated from the Fort Slocum, New York School of Journalism while in the U.S. Navy. Bjorn served on the USS Hornet during the Viet Nam war.

While in the Navy, he wrote feature and sports articles for the base/ship newspapers. While stationed in Alaska he served on the ski patrol and also played on the baseball and basketball team. During the time he was stationed at North Island in Long Beach, Calif., he played on the softball team as a catcher. Bjorn was a loyal fan of Wisconsin sports — Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. Reading and listening to classical music were lifelong interests that sustained him and comforted him all of his life.

Bjorn was also a skilled craftsman and mason worker. Examples of his talents can be seen all throughout the childhood home on Ski Jump Lane that he spent years renovating. The brick fireplace, in particular, exemplifies his work, and family and friends would gather around it on many a chilly night.
Bjorn is survived by two sisters, Solveig (Stan) Vogel of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Dagny Lund of Whitehall, Wis.; three nephews, Tim (Becky) Vogel, Mankato, Minn.; Tom (Jean) Vogel, Eagan, Minn., and Erik (Danielle) Vogel, Marshall, Minn.; one great niece, Sophia Vogel; two great nephews, Timothy John (TJ) Vogel and Caleb Vogel; 3 step great nieces, Erin, Amber and Ashlee Henderson; and numerous relatives in Norway.

Bjorn was preceded in death by his father, Berger Lund in 1969, and mother, Gladys in 2004.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall with Pastor Yvonne Marshall presiding. Visitation will be on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall from 4–7 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be given to the Whitehall Public Library, Trempealeau County Humane Society, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church or to a preferred charity/organization.