Another page has turned in the Starfire Kids story. Pam (Overland Bunke) Klema passed away on March 12, 2026, after a battle with leukemia, and has joined Jerry “1” and “874 Forever” in Our Lord’s hands.
Born February 24, 1953, in Rushford, Minnesota, Pam spent her early years in the tiny town of Hart, just north of Rushford. Her father operated the local creamery, and she attended a one-room schoolhouse before moving into town and graduating from Rushford High School in 1971.
Pam met Jerry Bunke in high school, and the two were soon married, sharing a life full of outdoor adventure. It was Pam who encouraged Jerry to apply for a position as a race driver at Polaris. Bob Eastman quickly recognized Jerry’s talent and determination and brought him onboard. The couple relocated to Roseau, and not long after, their son Gabe was born.
After Jerry’s fatal racing accident in March of 1978, Pam delivered a eulogy marked by extraordinary faith and strength, leaving those in attendance in awe. In a church filled with grief, her faith stood as a guiding light.
Pam remained in Roseau to raise Gabe, where she later met and married Jerry Klema. Their family grew to include Michael, David, and Sara.
Pam had a patient, selfless nature that led her into teaching, opening a coffee shop, and eventually exploring the world as a flight attendant. She later became a massage therapist, continuing her lifelong calling of easing the burdens of others.
I was pleasantly surprised when Pam agreed to sit down and talk for the book. I had hesitated, not wanting to bring up painful memories, but when we spoke, she seemed genuinely happy to share the story of her life with Jerry Bunke, the details of that time, and the joy they experienced before the accident. She was gracious, patient, generous, and supportive of the entire project.
When I sent her the rough draft to review, she called and mentioned that she didn’t recall the part about Jerry wanting to become a pastor.
“We talked all the time, about everything… he would have told me that, and I just don’t remember it.”
However, because Bob Eastman had shared that story with me, she said it was fine to leave it in the book. “If Bob said it, it must be true.”
Many months later, during the book release event in her hometown of Rushford, she pulled me aside.
“Some time ago, I felt a very strong calling to work with veterans returning from the Middle East, many of them dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I didn’t understand why the Lord was asking me to do that work.”
She paused, then continued.
“After I read your draft, I was talking with some of my friends and told them I didn’t remember Jerry wanting to be a pastor. They all looked at each other, and finally one said, ‘Pam, you knew about that. You were so excited. It was all you talked about.’”
She paused again, gathering herself.
“That’s when it hit me. I had been so overwhelmed with what life might have been like with Jerry as a pastor that after the accident, I completely blocked it out. The Lord asked me to work with those veterans so I could understand.”
Facing something like that takes incredible strength, and Pam seemed to carry an abundance of it.
We spoke briefly about her marriage to Jerry Klema, and she mentioned that she had made it clear to him that, no matter what, she would one day be laid to rest next to Jerry.
So you can imagine my smile when I read this in her obituary:
“There will also be a graveside service in Rushford on May 1.”
Godspeed, Pam.
Obituary – Helgeson Funeral Home, Roseau, MN.
