Elaine Bergstrom

Elaine Oman Bergstrom, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, at The Rivers, Burnsville, MN.

Elaine was born in Braham, MN on May 14, 1930 to Albert Oman and Bertha Neubauer Oman. She grew up in Pine City, MN, and loved her hometown and cherished close relationships with friends and relatives, including Caryl Leibel, Cal Neubauer, Joe and Albert Neubauer and Kiffy Finney. She married Donald Bergstrom, from Rush City, on Dec. 26, 1952. They met at age 11 on a sledding hill in Rush City. He offered to pull her sled uphill.

She was a natural teacher and her first “students” were chickens and ducks on a farm outside Pine City. Aunt Emma (Neubauer) Cox encouraged her young niece to read to them. Her “teaching” continued in high school when she was pulled out of classes to substitute teach elementary classes. She earned a Teacher’s Certificate in 1952 from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and continued to teach/substitute for 50 years. She taught Elementary Education in districts ranging from Mt. Iron to St. Anthony, and from suburban Chicago to suburban Minneapolis. While her husband was stationed at Camp Atterbury, IN, she also taught Basic Education to rural GIs who needed to learn how to use telephones, telephone books, and count change for cash purchases. She loved teaching and had a special heart space for children labeled troublemakers as they were kindred spirits!

She enjoyed connecting with people, cooking for others, hosting parties for family, friends and neighbors, and made special memories for all at Oman Family Christmas parties. Elaine had an inclusive definition of family, which included extended family, neighbors, coworkers and friends. She always had an extra seat at the table and a bed or a couch to sleep on in her home. She enjoyed sharing Chicago museums with visiting Minnesota relatives. After settling back in Minnesota, she created memories for out of town visitors attending the Renaissance Festival or Minnesota State Fair. She was an excellent bridge player, avid reader, loved children and pets, and travel with Pine City pal Polly (Huber) Weium, cousin Donna, friends Al Anderson and Tina, and misadventures with Diane. She is remembered for her distinctive humor and rapid wit. Wherever she was, she enjoyed good company, good food and a good laugh.

Elaine is survived by son Alan (Debbie) Bergstrom, daughter Diane Bergstrom, son John (Claire) Bergstrom; grandchildren Hannah (Peter) York, Allie (Kyle) Moncada, Berit Bergstrom; great grandchildren Holly, Pierce, Cyrus and Sebastian; cousin Donna Oman; special nieces and nephews (in-law); goddaughter Carolyn; Leibel and Neubauer relatives. The Oman and Leibel relations’ support, love and laughter were greatly appreciated through her final year.

She was preceded in death by her parents Al and “Bert” Oman; husband Don Bergstrom; brothers Jack (Lorraine) Oman and Robert Oman, Caryl and Bob Leibel; special niece and nephew Mindy and Mike Moffatt; and cousin Laura Linn.

We have the deepest gratitude for the exemplary care, wise guidance, and personal attention from Minnesota Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials in Elaine's name to your preferred humane society or animal shelter.

She will be interred at the Birchwood Cemetery in Pine City. Swanson’s Funeral Chapel is handling the private service and burial.

Funeral arrangements for Elaine Bergstrom are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com