William "Bill" Wallace Bergstad

William “Bill” Bergstad, age 93, of Appleton, passed away Saturday evening, October 28, 2023, in Appleton Area Health Hospital. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m., Friday, November 3, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton. Pastor Linda Wimmer will officiate. Interment will be in Appleton City Cemetery.

William Wallace Bergstad was born August 31, 1930, in Appleton, Minnesota, the son of Aslak and Theresa (Ogren) Bergstad. He was baptized August 18, 1933, and was confirmed March 25, 1945, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton. Bill was raised in Appleton, where he attended school and graduated from Appleton High School, Class of 1948. On June 14, 1953, he was united in marriage to Jeanette Muriel Swenson at Zion Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with 70 years together and four children: Cindy, Peggy, Beverly, and Brad.

Bill joined the Minnesota National Guard, based in Appleton, in October of 1947. At the time of his discharge in October 1951, he had attained the rank of Sergeant. Bill worked for Waldon Wholesale Grocers for 20 years, first driving truck and then as a salesman. He then was employed by the Appleton Public School as a custodian until it closed in 1990. Bill worked part-time for the new Lac qui Parle Valley School District, at Appleton Elementary School as a custodian until his retirement in 2011. Bill was proud to be a life-long Appletonian!

Bill was a member of the Russell Johnson American Legion Post #72 in Appleton since 1957. He was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, where over the years he taught Sunday School, was actively involved in serving on various committees, and served as an usher.

Bill passed away Saturday evening, October 28, 2023, in Appleton Area Health- Hospital. He attained 93 years, 1 month and 28 days of age. Bill is survived by his wife Jeanette Bergstad of Appleton; his four children: Cindy Steffen of Benson, Peggy (Scott) Heglund of Granite Falls, Beverly (Jeffrey) Stock of Mankato, and Bradley Bergstad of Farmington; eight grandchildren: Amy (Timothy) Ackman of Owatonna, Jocelyn (Timothy) DeSutter of Mankato, Jacob (Cassie) Stock of Mankato, Allison (Nicolas) Wilson of Mankato, Joey (Becca) Heglund of Joint Base Elmendorf, AK, Robert Bergstad, Dylan Bergstad, and Nicholas Bergstad, all of Farmington; 16 great-grandchildren: Erin, Michael, and Cooper Ackman, Madison, Kael, and Jiles DeSutter, Brynna, Alexa, and Chloe Stock, Jaylyn, Kayler, Lync, Caris, and Denna Wilson, and Ezra and Sebastian Heglund; one sister-in-law, Norma Bergstad of Brooklyn Park; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Aslak and Theresa Bergstad; his brother, Wayne Bergstad; his sister, LaVaine (Warren) Utz; his parents-in-law, Olander and Luella Swenson; his grandson, Jordan William Stock; his son-in-law, Mark Steffen; and his daughter-in-law, Mary Bergstad. Blessed be the memory of William “Bill” Bergstad.