Donna M. Bergman

A Funeral Service for Donna M. Bergman will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Holcomb Evangelical Free Church in rural Holdrege, Nebraska with Reverend Randy Simmons, Pastor Murray Jones, and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating. Interment will follow at the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska.

The Funeral Service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100033954344066

Donna Mae Bergman, 95 years of age, of Holdrege, died on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. Donna was born on May 16, 1927, on the farm near Stromsburg, Nebraska, the third daughter born to Frank and Minnie (Younglund) Larson. Her mother passed away when Donna with nine months old. She attended Willow Hedge #34 country school for grades first through eighth, and later attended Stromsburg High School, graduating with the class of 1944. During high school, she took Normal Training and became a teacher at the age of 17. She taught from 1944-1947 at Blue View #56 and at Polk County District #72 from 1947-1950. She renewed her teaching certificate at Midland College and also took classes at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln while teaching. In 1950 she attended Trinity Bible College in Chicago, graduating in 1953 with a degree in Christian Education. Donna then moved to Holdrege to work as an assistant Boys Counselor at the Children's Home until the Home closed in 1954. She then taught in Phelps County District #70 until 1955.

On September 24, 1955, she was united in marriage to Grant Bergman from Loomis, Nebraska. To this union, three children were born: Cynthia, Joel, and Julie. The couple made their home on the farm north of Loomis. Having accepted Jesus Christ as her savior at an early age, Donna and Grant led their family in the pursuit of a personal relationship with Christ and a life honoring God. They were active members of the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church north of Holdrege. Donna sang in the choir, taught Vacation Bible School, and served in Women's Ministries. She sang in several different trios and duets throughout her life. Dear to her heart was a trio with two of her cousins as they sang on a live radio program while in their 20's, and continued singing through their 80's!

In 1972, Donna was diagnosed with encephalitis. She was in a coma for 40 days and spent 4 months in the hospital. Although the doctors never expected her to live, Grant held to his faith that she would be healed and she was!

In 1987, Grant and Donna moved into Holdrege. Donna worked for Trinity Daycare helping care for babies and toddlers. Grant moved to Christian Homes in 2009 and passed in 2013. Donna moved to Chrisoma West in 2013 where she resided until her passing.

Donna loved her family well and had a great impact on all of her children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humor. Donna loved to bake and is well known for her rye bread and Parkerhouse rolls. She taught her daughters and grandchildren to love baking and cooking as well. Donna had the gift of hospitality and often hosted people in her home. She was a loyal friend to many.

Donna will be remembered for her generous, loving heart; and her contagious smile. Above all, Donna has left a tremendous legacy to her family of God's amazing love and grace.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters: Doris Anderson and her husband, Jim; and Pauline Baker and her husband, Jack; sister-in-law, Betty Isaacson and her husband, Delford; and brother-in-law, Lemoyne "Speedy" Bergman and his wife, Joyce.

She leaves to celebrate her life, her children: Cyndi Muilenburg and her husband, Dr. Jeff Muilenburg of Aurora, Nebraska; Joel Bergman and his wife, Darla of Loomis; and Julie Whitman and her husband, Del of Lincoln, Nebraska; nine grandchildren: Katie Muilenburg of Papillion, Nebraska; Nathan Muilenburg of Aurora; Alyssa Saline and her husband, Evan of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Deidre Bergman of Lincoln; Britta Landrigan and her husband, Levi of Silver Creek, Nebraska; Janessa Bergman of Holdrege; Mallory Whitman of Philomath, Oregon; Isaac Whitman of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Jayne Whitman of Lincoln; five great-grandchildren: Owen, Avery and Hadley Saline; and Joel and Odessa Landrigan; one sister-in-law, Marilyn Olenik and her husband, Ken of Rockford, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Donna's honor and kindly suggested to the Holcomb Evangelical Free Church or the Christian Homes Care Community.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.