Obit: Bergstrom, Annette J. (1957 - 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Bergstrom, Hooker, Hassell, Lueptow, Douville

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, WI) September 27, 2006

-Bergstrom, Annette J. (April 11, 1957 - September 21, 2006)

Annette J. Bergstrom, age 49, former resident of Neillsville, was reborn into the loving arms of Jesus Christ on September 21, 2006. She had waged a ferocious and courageous battle against Lymphoma since April of 2005.

Annette was born April 11, 1957 in Fort Knox, KY. Her father’s military career afforded her the privilege of living in many intriguing places around the country and Europe during her childhood. Annette graduated from Port Washington High School in Port Washington, WI in May of 1974. She took her undergraduate training at Columbia University in Missouri, and Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in May of 1977. Annette earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Western New Mexico University in Silver City, New Mexico in December of 1981. Annette’s teaching certification includes five areas of specialized instruction.

Annette’s 27 years of teaching included schools in the barrios of El Paso, TX to the Navajo and Apache Nations of the Four Corners Area in New Mexico. Annette and her family returned to Wisconsin in 1993 and she became the Director of Curriculum for Sunburst Youth Homes until 2000. Annette has been a teacher for the Alternative Programs of the Sheboygan School District for the last five years.

Annette is survived by Kerry, her husband of 29 years, of Sheboygan; daughter Jennifer Johanna Hooker, 24, of Dixon, IL; and son, Kristopher Stephen Bergstrom, 20, of Eau Claire. Annette is also survived by her sister, Denise Hassell, of San Antonio, TX; sister Charmain Lueptow, of Tampa Bay, FL; father Howard Douville, of San Antonio, TX; and mother Helen Douville, of Mercer, WI. Annette has many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members that are also mourning her loss.

A Celebration of Life Memorial was held in her honor at the United Methodist Church in Mercer, WI on Wednesday, September 27, 2006.

Annette’s greatest treasures have always been her children and her students. Her time and energy was always focused on bringing out the best in each of her students by giving all she had, professionally and spiritually, the love and attention that each child so right fully deserves.

To all of Annette’s students, past and present, "I BELIEVE IN YOU! Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid! With love and everlasting gratitude, Thank You!" Ms. B.

Zimmers Westview Funeral & Cremation Care Center of Sheboygan assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online at zimmerfuneralhome.com