Joan Claire "Hansen" Bergner

Joan Claire Bergner, age 88, entered heaven on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

She was born to Lucille Mary (Jolly) and Gerald Leslie Hansen on July 15, 1937 as the second of four children, including brother Eugene Robert "Gene" (Sally) Hansen (1932), brother Glen Howard "Buck" (Diane) Hansen (1939), and brother Gerald Leslie Jr. "Jerry" (Jean) Hansen (1941). Sadly, she missed out on growing up with two sisters as they died as infants, Lois Ann (1933) and Janet Lee (1934).

She enjoyed her childhood in many ways and had loving family all around her, even though her parents divorced when she was nine years old, and her mom had to work many hours as a seamstress (and a very good one) to make ends meet. Amazingly, she met the future love of her life and husband of 62 years, Don Bergner, when he came to her 13th birthday party on a Cushman motor bike (he was 15)! They dated on and off throughout high school and after for a total of 10 years before getting married on October 24, 1959 at St. Patrick church in Green Bay.

They bought their first home in 1961 and began building a family and life together. It was a little G.I. house on Oakland Avenue in Green Bay which they completely remodeled and redecorated with the help of her mother.

Scott Alan was born just 10 months after they married in 1960, followed by Sondra Gail in 1962, Joseph Lee in 1964 and Anthony Jay in 1966.

Beginning in those early years, Joan enjoyed bowling, biking, antique shopping, homemaking, restoring furniture, camping, dancing with Don to Big Band music-especially Glenn Miller-and dinner out on the town. She was also an avid reader throughout her lifetime, devouring literally thousands of books, right up until the end.

The Bergner home of the 70's was a "wonder years" era of trips up north to our trailer in the woods or grandma's cottage on Rose Lake for fishing and swimming, and the occasional road trip vacation in the family station wagon. Dad was always at the helm, safely carting his family to their destination, occasionally stretching his arm over the seat to try to swat out whatever fights were brewing in the back.

Joan was primarily a homemaker throughout her life, but did also work periodically. Her first job (besides babysitting) was at a beauty shop, cleaning combs and brushes, picking up hair pins, etc. She hated it! She also worked at Woolworth's dime store selling records and cards. After training to become a nurse's aide, she worked at Bellin Hospital with the goal of becoming an RN, until a back injury prevented her from that pursuit. She then worked at Red Owl corporate offices as a private secretary. After the kids were in school, she worked as a pediatrician's assistant, a secretary for her brother Jerry's barber shop, and then 10 years in administration at American Medical Security. She also spent 26 years as an Avon representative.

In retirement, she and Don got heavily involved in the Ashwaubenon Volunteers in Policing (VIP) program. For nearly 20 years, they enjoyed volunteering in the court system, helping direct traffic at Packers games, cleaning highways, and other services. It was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship with many friendships forged with police and other volunteers.

Sadly, Don began to suffer the early stages of Alzheimer's around 2005 and lived another 16 years until passing in September of 2021. Joan was there caring for him the whole time. Perhaps one of the hardest things for her to endure was for him to have forgotten her, their family and his life. But in a miracle of lucidity shortly before he passed, Don remembered her. Though difficult to understand, he clearly said at one point, "Joanie, she's a good girl." It was evident to us that God was watching over him and desired for this comforting connection to be made before the end.

In these last years, Joan continued to live in the house we all grew up in, surrounded by a lifetime of memories. In what started as a situation of necessity and ultimately became a bittersweet blessing, Sondy moved in with her in 2024, and as difficult as it was, became a default caregiver as mom began to decline.

On August 14th of last year, she found mom slumped in her wheelchair and called 911. From that night on, Mom did not return to her home. However, we were able to make her final days comfortable and quite loving with the help of the kind folks at Bristol Hospice and Autumn Embers Senior Living.

We would like to thank the wonderful, caring people at Bristol Hospice, especially her nurses Karen, Jennifer, Jackie, Chaplain Gina and her awesome CNA, Meadow. Thanks also to her volunteer reader, Madison, who made many visits until mom could no longer hear.

Thanks to all the wonderful people at Autumn Embers, including Kayla, Nicole, Taraya, Bryce, Nancy, Kimber, Conner, Cameron, Scott, Daquari (sp) and others in the kitchen, and those we are either forgetting (sorry), who worked behind the scenes or we may not have met since they were there in the wee hours.

Our mom's favorite color was purple, and on the morning drive to the home after receiving the call of her passing, the sky was ablaze with a beautiful pink-purple sunrise. It was a comforting sign that she was at peace and forever home with her Savior in heaven.

We love you mom, we miss you terribly already and forever while we remain here on earth. But you are whole now and free of the suffering of your failing body, even as your mind remained fully sharp to the end. You are restored and in your eternal home. We imagined dad standing there with his wry smile, waiting to embrace you and break into the jitterbug once again. And your son, our brother, Scott, also restored, probably wearing a heavenly Packers cap of some sort. And so many others, your brothers, your mom and many relatives who have preceded you. We here are now a family of half, but with our own loved ones, and new generations emerging, including your third great-grandchild, born just the day after your passing. What a blessing that is. So goodbye, mom, but only for now. You were amazing. We love you.

In addition to we three who continue on -Sondy, Joe and Tony-is Sondy's son Zak and his partner Kelsey, and their newborn Lyla, and her daughter Lindsey; Joe's wife Joan and their children, Simon and Audrey; Tony's daughter Sophia, her husband Garrett, and sons Benedict and newborn Theodore; and Scott's widow Angela and her son Brandon. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband Don and her eldest son, Scott.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held on Friday, March 27th at Lyndahl Funeral Home. Visitation with light snacks will be at 4:30pm with a service at 6:oopm. We welcome all prayers and messages of encouragement for the family.