LT Janel Ann Bergman Allen

1960 - 2025

McAllen - Janel Bergman Allen, 64, died on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas.

Janel Ann Bergman Allen was born on November 26, 1960 at St. Mary's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri to Paul H. Bergman and Janice "Jan" Haug Bergman.

In 1967 Janel moved with her family to Seneca, Kansas where her parents built Crestview Manor Nursing Home. She attended school at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and graduated from Nemaha Valley High School in 1979. She enjoyed performing in dance recitals and playing softball. Janel was a member of the "Images" singing group. She was the drum majorette for the NVHS band. In June 1978, she was a Miss United Teenager Kansas State Finalist. She worked part-time as a certified nursing assistant at Crestview Manor.

Following graduation, Janel pursued a career in nursing. She graduated from Manhattan Area Vocational-Technical School in Manhattan, Kansas on May 28, 1980 and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She worked part-time at St. John's Hospital in Salina, Kansas while pursuing further education at Marymount College of Kansas. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree on May 16, 1987. As a Registered Nurse (RN), Janel worked in the operating room at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas. She was nationally certified as a perioperative nurse with Certified Nurse-Operating Room (CNOR) credentials.

On September 22, 1988, Janel joined the United States Navy, graduated from Naval Officer Indoctrination School (OIS) on November 4 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. On November 6, Ensign Bergman reported to the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD to assume duties as an operating room nurse.

LTJG Bergman was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for her "professional achievement in the superior performance of her duties." She served as charge nurse for plastic surgery in the NNMC main operating room from January to November, 1990. Following that, Janel was an OR Division Officer at NNMC. In October 1990, she was selected "Nurse of the Month" and featured in the Kansas Nurse publication. Her colleagues described her as witty, caring, precise, and professional. She had several articles published in The Kansas Nurse. She had accepted orders to the USNS Comfort as one of eighteen officers assigned to this 1,000-bed hospital ship. She was to assume this position in January 1991 in the Persian Gulf but was called home for a family emergency and later reassigned.

On September 26, 1991, Janel was promoted to Lieutenant and continued her service at NNMC in eleven surgical services. It was there she met her future husband, nurse anesthetist CDR William E. "Bill" Allen. When Bill was assigned to Sigonella, Sicily and Janel to Groton-New London, CT, they married in a civil ceremony on April 2, 1993. When Bill received a co-location with wife assignment they were reunited and renewed their wedding vows on August 27, 1993 at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic Church in Groton-New London, CT with family and friends in attendance. When Janel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) they transferred back to Bethesda where she was able to participate in a Multiple Sclerosis research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During that time, she assisted in updating the operating room procedure manual. When Janel's health declined, she was medically discharged.

LT Janel A. Allen was honorably discharged on April 3, 1997 from the U.S. Navy. CDR William E. Allen retired after 22 1/2 years of service. They moved to Lumberton, NC. For the next 2 1/2 years, Janel was an instructor at Roberson County Community College in the nursing department. When a challenging situation occurred for her students she would say, "This is an opportunity for growth and learning." Janel approached challenges with a positive attitude. In Lumberton, she served as Commander of the American Legion and Queen of the Rockin' Red Hatters. Janel enjoyed needlework, scuba diving, and travelling.

Following her husband's death, Janel moved to Heritage Village in McAllen, Texas to be near her parents. She was a member of the Heritage Village Choir that performed at nursing homes and retirement centers. Janel enjoyed the performing arts, card playing, visiting, and watching movies. Due to declining health, Janel moved to Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas on September 24, 2020, where she remained until her death.

Janel was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on February 13, 2018; her father, Paul H. Bergman, on July 16, 2020; her grandparents, Alban and Angela (Karnowski) Haug and Joseph and Elizabeth (Enneking) Bergman.

She is survived by her mother, Janice "Jan" Bergman, sisters, Jolene Ruzinok, TN, and Jennifer (Steve) Manning, Colleyville, TX; nieces, Mandy (Andrew) Mauer, Poolsville, MD and Avery Eisenbarth, Colleyville TX; great nephew, Maddox Mauer and great niece, Reagan Mauer, Poolesville, MD. Janel is also survived by two step-sons, Chad (Michelle) Allen and step-granddaughters, Cheyenne and Piper Allen, Tampa, FL and Ben (Cara) Allen and step-granddaughter, Kiera, Germantown, MD.

Janel was a gregarious woman who will be remembered for her caring, compassionate, and nurturing attributes. She was always available to help others and she didn't hesitate to put others' needs before her own.

A Celebration of Life will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Edcouch, TX, with a tribute ceremony by the Rio Grande Valley Nurse Honor Guard. At a later date, LT Janel Allen will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA with her loving husband, CDR William E. "Bill" Allen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Janel's memory to Rio Grande Valley Nurse Honor Guard, 27149 Ashley Ct., Harlingen, TX 78552 or to St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church, P.O. Box 307, Edcouch, TX 78538.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.