John Arvid Sirjord, age 79 of Amery, WI died peacefully Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN with his loving wife Kathy of 58 years and his family at his side.
John was born on October 3, 1936, at home in Bear Park Township, MN to Olaf and Marie (Ystenes) Sirjord. During high school John assisted his Dad on the family farm and graduated from Gary High School in 1954. John also worked at the American Crystal Sugar Beet Company in Crookston, MN. In 1957 John married his beloved wife Kathy (Pederson). While living in Winger, John and Kathy were blessed with their daughter Randi and their son Jerome while John was working for the Farmers Union Cooperative beginning his career in cooperative management. John worked at the cooperative in Moorhead, MN and later started managing the Cooperative in Okabena, MN where Cynthia added to their joy of being parents. John also managed Cooperatives in Beltrami, MN and Amery, WI where he and Kathy have lived since 1977.
John loved Kathy, his family, his friends and his customers. John loved the peacefulness of the outdoors and took his family on many camping trips, including Itasca State Park and Yellowstone National Park. John enjoyed camping for more than 50 years and most recently with the Christian Campers Club, where he and Kathy have many friends. John was an avid fisherman and taught his grandsons the joy of catching lots of fish. Deer hunting and 4 wheeling were also passions John enjoyed.
John's heart for people showed in many ways. He volunteered at the Latin American Lutheran Mission (LALM) in Laredo, TX and served on LALM's Board of Directors for 8 years. John was also on the council at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. John could often be found helping out those who needed a hand in Amery or listening to his friends at the Senior Center.
When John retired he and Kathy enjoyed winter travel to Texas and Arizona where they were happy and quite busy. John had lifelong love of music and played the guitar and sang in various musical groups including the Bibleville Buckaroos. He and Kathy also sang duets together and one of their favorite songs was 'Suppertime'.
John was very proud of his 5 grandchildren and was always so happy when they came to Amery to visit. He always looked forward to attending their many activities.
John is survived by his wife Kathy, children Randi Olson, Jerome (Jennifer) Sirjord, Cynthia (Rob) Thomas and grandchildren Renata (Luke) Bonanno, John (Katy) Sirjord, Rachael (Ryan) Barrios, Eric Sirjord, and Joey Thomas. He is also survived by his sisters Marion Pederson, Bernice Sundet, Wanda (Arne) Benson, his brother in law Adley (Gloria) Pederson, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Marie, his in-laws Peder and Alvira Pederson, brothers Vernon Sirjord and Omar Sirjord, his sister Maria Sather, brothers in law John Sundet, Arvid Sather, and Palmer Pederson, sister in law Pauline Sirjord, nephews Nieland Pederson and Paul Pederson.
Blessed be the memory of John Arvid Sirjord.


Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Amery. Visitation will be at the Williamson-White Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. with a sharing time at 6:30 p.m. There will also be visitation for the hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Amery Cemetery