Ora Mae Funk – Bjerregaard

Ora Mae Bjerregaard passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on October 27, 2023. You may know her as Maezie, Mom, Aunt Mae, or Grandma, but to all of us she was simply an Angel!

Ora Mae was born in Sterling, UT to Hillard and Almeda Funk. She was the second youngest sister to Merlene, Jay, Odell, and Evelyn. She Married Perry M. Bjerregaard in the Manti, UT Temple on July 12, 1957, recently having celebrated 66 years together. Perry and Ora purchased a home and moved to Sandy, Utah in 1959 where they put down roots and adopted 3 beautiful children Angela, Antony “Tony”, and James.

She attended LDS Business College and began working at the Salt Lake Clinic in 1979 doing payroll and accounting. She was eventually promoted to pension administrator for Intermountain Healthcare, where she retired in 2002, but did not officially quit working until 2014.
For Ora Mae, family and faith was everything, she loved fiercely and loyally! Dedicating her time to her children and grandchildren Jeremy, Joshua, Andrew, Shea, Kagen, as well as her calling to the LDS Church.

Growing up on the farm in Sterling provided Ora with an insatiable work ethic, along with a green thumb. She could grow just about anything. She took great pride in her garden each year, where she was incredibly resourceful. She spent many of her fall days and evenings canning and preserving her bounty.

Generosity was her nature, always making sure those around her were taken care of. She would cheerfully deliver freshly prepared jars of her canned peaches, pears, homemade salsa, or spaghetti sauce to family, friends, and neighbors. She also loved to Sew, Crochet, and Knit, often making clothing and quilts she could share with those she loved and cared for. Delivering personally, which gave her an excuse to sit down for a visit to catch up.

This led to her calling as a service missionary for the LDS Church. She and Perry served at the Sandy Utah Vegetable Project where they managed the farm and helped grow an average of 60,000 pounds of produce annually. She and Perry also spent time volunteering as ordinance workers at both the Draper and Jordan River Temples.

Ora took great pride in her home, where the door was always open, and everyone was greeted with the warmest smile, the BEST hugs in the world, and an open heart. Nobody was leaving her house hungry, and her kitchen was always open. She loved hosting Sunday dinners, where all were welcome. Spending her week planning and preparing. Her holiday parties were epic and loving, and no detail was missed.

Maezie, you will be sorely missed by so many. Anyone whose life you touched is better because of you! We hope you are wearing those pretty red Mary Jane shoes, and dancing to your hearts content. We love you with all our hearts and more, until we meet again.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Sandy, UT 84092 on Saturday, November 4th, 2023. A viewing will be held 12:30pm – 1:30pm prior to the services. There will be a light luncheon following the graveside dedication at the Sego Lily Ward, 9824 Flint Drive Sandy, UT 84094.

If you would like to watch the recorded services, please click on the blue "Watch Services" button above.