Myrna Bleeker

A memorial service for Myrna Lynn Bleeker, age 73, of Lincoln, NE, was held at 11 a.m., Monday, December 29, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Julius Buelow officiating.

Music for the service was provided by a vocal group of Myrna’s grandchildren, son-in-law, and brother, accompanied by Randy Sachtjen and a clarinet solo by Kaleah Petersen.

John Petersen and Dale Kovar were urn bearers. Myrna’s eight grandchildren were honorary urn bearers.

Interment was at Graceland Cemetery in Burke. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Myrna was born to Edwin and Donna (Papousek) Fode in Burke, SD, on November 11, 1952, the first of six children. She was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke the following January. Myrna spent her young childhood on a farm near Gregory, SD, before her family moved to Burke. Perhaps inspired by her mother’s love of cooking at the Family Corner Drive-In, Myrna attended Mitchell Vocation Technical School and graduated in 1972 with a degree in commercial baking.

In 1979, Myrna moved to Lincoln, NE, and worked at the Ship Ahoy! Restaurant, where she met her husband Thomas Roy Bleeker. They were married in June, 1981, and their marriage was blessed with two children. She moved to Bonesteel, SD, for a few years to be closer to family. In the winter of 1986, she returned to Lincoln and began working for the newly-opened Mettler’s Family Bakery. For nineteen years, she worked there as a cake decorator, baker, and friend to every customer who came through the door. Myrna knew everyone by name and could have told you the life stories of dozens of her customers. Myrna finished her baking career at the Walmart bakery in Lincoln, from which she retired in 2019.

Myrna loved spending time with family and friends. She frequently traveled back to South Dakota, which was always “home.” She loved games and cards, especially pitch, pinochle, and the South Dakota original, “Peg-It.” Anyone who played with her was familiar with her wildly irresponsible bidding style…which always seemed to work out in her favor! After her retirement, Myrna spent much of her time with her grandchildren, giving them the best kind of “Grandma time” child care. Myrna was a long-time member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lincoln, and her faith provided an unshakable foundation for her life and her family.

Myrna Lynn (Fode) Bleeker passed away December 15, 2025 at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln, NE. She spent her final days surrounded by family and loved ones, reminiscing and sharing stories from her life and childhood.

Myrna is survived by her children, Amanda (John) Petersen and Michelle Bergen (Dale Kovar); her grandchildren Kaleah, Cloey, Lily, and Isabella Petersen, and Atticus, Persephone, Thaddeus, and Ophelia Bergen; her siblings Valerie (Joe) Anderson, Gaile (Randy) Sachtjen, Lavonne Fode, Lanette Fode, and Wade (Jenelle) Fode; and by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, and her parents.