Bergman, Jean Elizabeth (1913-2011)

Date of Birth: 1913 December 5, California
Date of Death: 2011 March 15, California

From Find A Grave:

Jean Elizabeth Bergman was born at home on December 5, 1913, on the Bergman farm on Road 144, near Woodville, California. She passed away March 15, 2011 in Tulare, California at the age of 97. Jean was the fourth child and only girl of five children born to Carl Otto and Amelia Welty Bergman. Her four brothers were Carl, Rush, Dan and Luther.

She was given no middle name but as a young girl chose the name Elizabeth. Jean attended Surprise School, Tulare High School and Porterville Junior College. She then left Tulare County to attend Biola College for two years, Wheaton College for one year, and LaVerne College for two years, earning her teaching credential.

Traver was the site of Jean's first teaching assignment where she stayed for two years and then went to Lindsay for three years. She then taught at Surprise School teaching several of her nieces, including Janet Bergman Pine, Susan Bergman DeVries, and Connie Bergman Bergen.

After her parents moved from the farm to Tulare, Jean began teaching for Tulare City Schools where she taught until her retirement.

Honoring Christ and serving Him through her personal and church activities were always a big part of Jean's life.

As a child, her family helped organize and conduct church services at the Woodville Migrant Labor Camp.

Jean and her parents attended and were members of Lindsay Church of the Brethren where she was involved in the women's and children's ministries.

She was baptized in the outdoor baptistery as were most of her nieces and nephews.

Around 1956, Jean and her parents began attending the Tulare First Baptist Church where Jean became involved in the choir, taught Daily Vacation Bible School and the third grade Sunday School classes.

For a few years, she was president of the women's ministries and of the Faith Circle.

Jean was active in the Republican Party and the University Women's Organization.

Her hobbies included playing the recorder with a group of women, calligraphy, and painting.

She enjoyed stencils, but worked mostly in watercolors.

Many of the bulletin boards around the church were made by Jean. She was also a part of the church quilting group.

The driving force of Jean's life was her relationship with Jesus Christ. She prayed often for her many family members and held a soft spot in her heart for missionaries. Her favorite Bible passage was Psalm 103.

Jean was preceded in death by a niece, Victoria Bergman and a nephew, Tim Bergman.

She leaves behind many nieces and nephews, including David Bergman, Ted Bergman, Rolland Bergman, John Bergman, Craig Bergman, Carl Bergman, Karen Franklin, Ruth White, Becky Kissick, Edie Burckhardt, Jan Pine, Susan DeVries, and Connie Wilbur.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at First Baptist Church.

Private burial will be at Tulare District Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Peers Lorentzen Funeral Service.

Published in Tulare Adv-Register on March 17, 2011

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Tulare, California
Daughter of Carl Otto Sr. and Amelia (Welty) Bergman
Single
Teacher -- Traver, Lindsay, and Tulare, California

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See Carl Otto Bergman Sr. (1884-1962) for family photo

Sources:
Brief Hist. ... Ulrich Welty, 1926, p. 258
Find A Grave 67279288