Jacquelyn Leone Bergstrom

Jacquelyn Leone Bergstrom of Ogden, Utah passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Jacquelyn (Jacque) was the only child born to William and Leone Van Arsdale on March 23, 1930 in Modesto, CA. Shortly thereafter, they moved to San Jose, CA where she was raised and graduated from Campbell High School in 1948. She received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from San Jose State University in 1952 where she was a charter member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. 

Jacque met the love of her life, Vernon (Vern) Bergstrom during her college spring break in Santa Cruz, CA. Their first date was seeing the movie “Love Happy.”  Suffice it to say they were indeed Love Happy for 66 years. They were married at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Jose, CA on February 7, 1954. Vern and Jacque enjoyed a life-long career in the US Air Force which took them to multiple assignments around the United States including Georgia, California, Washington, Kansas, Florida, Alabama, Virginia/Washington DC and Hawaii finally ending their military career at Hill AFB in Ogden, UT.  Raising their family of three daughters in the military was a job in and of itself. Jacque was a pro at managing multiple moves, holding down the home during deployments, continually adjusting to new environments and making sure her daughters adjusted to each move.  Jacque always handled each move with grace and patience. She was active in the Officers Wives Club wherever they were stationed, would work various different charity events, chauffeured kids to school, Scouts or whatever had captured their fancy at the time. Vern fondly stated with every move and promotion there was one person in their home that always outranked him; it was Jacque. If Vern wore Silver (Eagles as a full Colonel), Jacque wore Gold. She  was known for her hospitality, always welcoming guests into their home whether for a dinner party, a spur of the moment cocktail or a cup of coffee. If the American flag was flying at the house, the door was always open to anyone who stopped by. Following their retirement from the Air Force, Ogden became their permanent home where Jacque was active in the Altar Guild at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, the local P.E.O. Chapter as well as supporting the activities of Youth Impact of Ogden.

In her leisure time she played golf with Vern and did needlework with friends.  She also enjoyed traveling the world with her “Mr. Wonderful,” and spending time with her three daughters and their families which include six grandchildren. Her family was her pride and joy and greatest love.   

Jacque was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Colonel Vernon MacKenzie Bergstrom, USAF Ret. She is survived by her three daughters; Heidi (Vance) Bergstrom Sanders of South Pasadena, CA; two grandchildren, Hannah Rose Sanders and Jack Henry Sanders, Lisa (Scott) Leone Mathes of Greensboro, GA; two grandchildren, Michael MacKenzie Mathes and Molly Jewell Mathes, Jill (Travis) Marie Drown of Salt Lake City, UT; two grandchildren, Samuel Wheeler Drown and Tucker MacKenzie Drown. 

The family is grateful for the outpouring of love from family and friends as well as the loving attention of her caregivers both at Visiting Angels and Hidden Valley Memory Care. A celebration of life for both Vernon and Jacquelyn will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ogden on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow in Tuttle Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to Youth Impact of Ogden located at 2305 Grant Avenue, Ogden UT 84401. See youthimpactogden.org to learn more.