Orma Mae (Brown) Bjork passed peacefully on October 11, 2026, at the Oakwood Lane Nursing and Rehab Center in Stronghurst, Illinois, surrounded by her family.
Born in LaHarpe, Illinois, on April 19, 1928, Orma was the youngest child of LeRoy and Della Alston Brown. She grew up alongside her siblings Kent Brown, Amy Richer, and Wayne Brown, all of whom preceded her in death.
In 1946, Orma met who would become her future husband, Robert H. Bjork, at a local baseball game. Just three days after graduating from high school, she married Robert, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 68 years. Together they welcomed five children. Three—Richard, Margaret, and Miles—passed away in infancy. Their daughters, Carol Edythe (born 1953) and Janet Mae (born1956), survive.
Orma was a dedicated wife, mother, and employee. Once her daughters reached school age, she began working at the ASC office in Biggsville, Illinois, while Robert farmed. In 1968, the family moved to Media, Illinois, where Orma joined the Soil Conservation Service office in Stronghurst. She later accepted a position at the Bank of Stronghurst, where she worked for more than 20 years until her retirement.
She was a member of the Eastern Star (LaHarpe chapter), the Daniel McMillan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and an active member of the Stronghurst Christian Church.
Orma lived a life of service. She supported Robert in his farming operation—often rising early to help before preparing breakfast for her daughters and sending them off to the school bus. After a full day of work, she returned home to cook dinner, help with homework, or attend school activities. She was always on the move, always giving.
Music was one of Orma’s greatest joys. She possessed a beautiful soprano voice and was frequently asked to sing at weddings, funerals, and in the church choir. She also performed for many years with a barbershop quartet alongside Doris Grigsby, Jean Leinbach, and Barbara Meek, all of Stronghurst. As the last surviving member of the quartet, she cherished those memories—often bringing Janet along to evening practices.
Orma loved cooking and generously shared meals with neighbors, friends, and her church community. Potlucks were a favorite place for her to contribute dishes made with care.
She was also an accomplished seamstress. A perfectionist at the sewing machine, she created countless projects over the years. In her later life, when sewing became more difficult, she continued to make beautiful aprons and housecoats for family and friends.
One of Orma’s greatest joys was being a grandmother to her only grandchild, Sean Forrest Webb, son of Carol. She delighted in becoming a great-grandmother to Sean’s children, Brinley and Sutton.
Orma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings, and her three children. She was also preceded in death by her nephew Joe Wiswell, niece Georgia Love, and nephew Murray Hartwell.
She is survived by her daughters Carol Lee (Carl) of Stronghurst, Illinois, and Janet Bjork of Dallas, Texas; her grandson Sean F. Webb (Andrea) of Tennessee, Illinois; and her great-grandchildren Brinley and Sutton Webb. She is also survived by nephews Ron Hartwell, Roger Brown, Raymond Brown, Jim Brown, and Leonard Brown, and nieces Nancy Conn and Linda Reynolds.
Orma will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 16th at the Stronghurst Christian Church, with Steve Minkler officiating. Burial will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Stronghurst Christian Church. Please visit Orma’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave an online condolence.
