Jeanette M. Bergstad
Published April 2, 2025
Jeanette Muriel Bergstad, age 90, of Appleton, Minnesota, died Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Oak Terrace Memory Care in Mankato, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton, Minnesota, with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Appleton City Cemetery in Appleton, Minnesota. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home ~ Vaala Chapel in Appleton, Minnesota.
Jeanette Muriel Bergstad was born on September 18, 1934, to Olander and Luella Swenson (Perseke). Her baptism was on October 29, 1934, at the Emmanual Lutheran Church in Odessa, Minnesota. She was confirmed at Evangelical Lutheran Church. Jeanette grew up on farms in the Odessa and Correll, Minnesota, area while attending schools in the area. Her high school years were spent at Appleton High School where she graduated in 1952.
Upon completing high school, Jeanette went to work for the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Appleton, Minnesota, until she was married and had started a family. Bill and Jeanette were married on June 14, 1953. They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in 2023. Their first born came a year later in August 1954. Cindy was followed by Peg in January of 1957; Bev, in September of 1959; and Brad, in May of 1964. At that time, they lived on a hobby farm west of Appleton, but in 1968 Jeanette, Bill, and the children literally built their new home in Appleton with their own labor. At that time, Jeanette began part-time employment at the Appleton Pharmacy until she was offered a full-time position at the Farmers & Merchants Bank where she worked until retiring in 1994. Following retirement, she did volunteer work at the Appleton Library, assisting with the music for the residents at the Appleton Nursing Home and filling in at the bank as needed. In May of 1999, Jeanette became employed at the Vaala Funeral Home until retiring from there in March 2014.
In addition to the various activities above, Jeanette served at Zion Lutheran Church by participating in the services as a Lector and serving on committees. Her greatest love was music; both singing and playing the piano. She learned to play piano as a youth and cherished her piano. She played at church but also at home for enjoyment; and Jeanette played piano well into her senior years. With Bill being a Veteran, she was involved with the Ladies Auxiliary. For fun she played cards with friends, rode bike, bowled, and in her younger days played softball with her daughters. Her greatest joy, however, came from watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as they participated in sports, dance, and musical performances. She didn’t miss a Baptism, Confirmation or Graduation!
Jeanette is survived by her children Cindy Steffen of Benson, Peggy (Scott) Heglund of Granite Falls, Beverly (Jeffrey) Stock of North Mankato, and Brad Bergstad of Farmington; grandchildren: Amy (Timothy) Ackman of Owatonna, Jocelyn (Timothy) DeSutter of North Mankato, Jacob (Cassie) Stock of North Mankato, Allison (Nicholas) Wilson of Mankato, Joey (Becca) Heglund of Anchorage, AK, Robert Bergstad of Eagan, Dylan Bergstad of Jordan, and Nicholas Bergstad of Farmington; great-grandchildren: Erin, Mike and Cooper Ackman, Madison, Kael, and Jiles DeSutter, Brynna, Alexa, and Chloe Stock, Jaylyn, Kayler, Linc, Caris, and Denna Wilson, and Ezra and Sebastion Heglund. She is also survived by her siblings Garry (Ethel) Swenson, Corrine (Gary) Knochenmus; sister-in-law Norma Bergstad; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband Bill, grandson Jordan William Stock, son-in-law Mark Steffen, and daughter-in-law Mary Bergstad, her parents Olander and Luella Swenson, brother Orville and sister-in-law Hilda Swenson, Bill’s parents Aslak and Theresa Bergstad, brother-in-law Wayne Bergstad, sister-in-law Lavaine and brother-in-law Warren Utz. Blessed be her memory.