Juanita Bergman passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026 at her home of more than 60 years in Independence, MN. 

She was born November 6, 1933, to William and Bernice (Knutson) Moritz in Tyler, MN. She was the firstborn, later joined by a brother and two sisters. They grew up in the parsonage of a country church, where her father was the pastor, on the rolling prairie in southwestern Minnesota. Her earliest memories were of a loving home and of a caring church family. In the mid-1940’s, two churches in neighboring towns that were without a pastor asked her father to preach there each Sunday. With the prospect of practicing her driving, she often went along to play the piano at all three services. On occasion, her family went to Medicine Lake Bible Conference for a week in the summer, and she treasured getting to hear outstanding preachers of that era.   

She studied at Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis before graduating from the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in 1955. While she was a student nurse, she attended Central Free Church, across the street from Swedish Hospital, and there in Sunday School class met her future husband, Clinton Bergman. They were married May 12, 1956, by her father, Reverend William Moritz, at Skandia Free Church. 

That fall, Clint and Nita moved to Crookston, MN, where she worked as a nurse while Clint taught at the University of Minnesota Agriculture School. Their three children, Judson, Barton and Constance, were born in Crookston. For the next several years, the family spent winters in Crookston and summers in Minneapolis before building their home in Independence. There, she enjoyed raising her three children, making a beautiful home and hosting various missionaries. 

She had a lifelong love for the Bible and for prayer. As a member of Maple Plain Community Church, Juanita served through music, teaching, and hospitality, as well as library committee and prayer band – in the process forming deep friendships across generations. She also helped lead Sunday services at Haven Homes, thoughtfully choosing hymns to play on piano. 

She had an appreciation for the natural beauty of God’s creation and its changes through the seasons. She enjoyed the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and said she would be happy to visit every day. The horticultural library there was a special place that brought together her interest in gardening and love of reading. She was a lifelong learner and avid reader. 

Juanita cared for Clint at home in the last years of his life – always his favorite nurse. After his death in 2022, she laughed about needing to learn basic skills from household finance to filling the gas tank, tasks that Clint had taken care of for the last 67 years. 

She loved her family and treasured time with them, particularly gathering around the piano together to sing hymns. In her last weeks, Nita repeatedly said how full of thankfulness she was for God’s goodness. 

Juanita is preceded in death by her husband Clinton Bergman, son Judson Bergman, daughters-in-law Susan Bergman and Mary Miller Bergman, son-in-law Brian Glover; parents, and siblings William Moritz and Marilynn Delin. Survived by son Barton (Beth) Bergman, daughter Constance Glover; twelve grandchildren: Elliot, Elise (Collin Moore), Natalie (Andreas Ekelund), and Bennet Bergman; Hannah, Karen, and Judson (Allyson) Bergman; Ethan (Rebecca), Issac (Kristi), Michal (Vincent) Velie, Jeremiah, and Sharon Glover; ten great-grandchildren: Lewis, Malin and Cora Moore; James Glover; Lucienne, August and Susannah Glover; Max and Jasper Velie; Arthur Ekelund; and she was looking forward to the arrival of two more. She is also survived by sister Joanne Gottry, and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, July 27th, at Maple Plain Community Church, with visitation one hour prior. Livestream and recording of the service linked here: https://www.youtube.com/live/owsIOjsXiB0   Memorials may be directed to: Maple Plain Community Church Missions 1815 Budd Avenue Maple Plain, MN 55359