Janice "Jan" Bergman

Janice “Jan” Bergman, 88, died on February 17, 2026 in Colleyville, Texas. She was born on January 6, 1938 in Axtell, Kansas, as the only daughter and youngest child of Alban Haug and Angela (Karnowski) Haug of Seneca, Kansas.

At age four, Jan moved with her parents and two older brothers to the family farm south of Baileyville, Kansas. She attended local schools and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1956. Driven by her passion for nursing, Jan earned her Registered Nurse (RN) diploma from Marymount College of Kansas, Division of Nursing in Salina, in May 1959.

On November 28, 1959, Jan married Paul H. Bergman at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. They settled in Kansas City, Missouri, for eight years, where Jan worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in both post-surgical and psychiatric units. In 1963, she became Assistant Director of Nursing Services at North Kansas City Memorial Hospital. During this period, Jan and Paul welcomed their first two daughters, Janel and Jolene.

Paul’s career as a Kansas City police officer led the couple to a pivotal nursing home investigation in the mid-1960s. Motivated by their shared dedication to improving long- term care, Jan and Paul returned to their roots and designed, built, owned, and operated Crestview Manor nursing home in Seneca, Kansas, from 1968 to 1988. Their third daughter, Jennifer, was born during this time.

For two decades, Jan served as Director of Nursing at Crestview Manor, becoming a leader in gerontological nursing at district, state, and national levels. In 1975, she became one of the first 99 professional nurses in the United States to be certified by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and was recognized as Kansas’ first Certified Nurse. Jan’s achievements were highlighted in “Lamps Still Aglow,” a history of Kansas nursing, and she was featured in 18 “Who’s Who” national and international publications between 1971 and 1989.

Jan’s professional leadership included serving as secretary and vice-chair of the ANA’s Executive Committee, Division on Gerontological Nursing Practice from 1978 to 1984, where she helped develop the Scope and Standards of Practice for gerontological nurses nationwide. She also contributed for 15 years to the editorial board of the “Geriatric Nursing” journal and served on numerous boards and committees committed to improving the healthcare of older adults.

Among Jan’s most cherished honors were the Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA) lifetime membership award (1980) and the Marymount College “Distinguished Alumni Award” for her service to the profession (1984). Over her 37-year career, Jan was a respected lecturer and published author.

Jan’s devotion to nursing was matched by her commitment to community service. She volunteered as a girls’ T-ball coach, Girl Scout camp nurse, and Red Cross nurse. Jan was active in civic organizations such as the Seneca Jaycee Janes, Business and Professional Women’s Club, District 13 KSNA, and Nemaha County Mental Health Association. Together with Paul, she helped launch Marriage Encounter and served as a Marriage Prep instructor for Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas.

Family was always at the heart of Jan’s life. She balanced a demanding career and community involvement with her commitment to family, making time for evening meals, dance recitals, school events, and sports activities for her daughters and granddaughters. Her warmth and support were the foundation of family life.

Jan and Paul shared a love for travel, visiting 24 foreign countries during their marriage. Starting in 1993, the couple spent part of each year in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of South Texas, moving there permanently in October 2013 and residing at Alamo Country Club in Alamo, Texas. They volunteered with the South Texas Symphony for 18 years and with Welcome Home RGV. Even in her 80s, Jan continued to lead valley-wide events such as Kansas Day and the Retired Nurses Luncheon.

Since 2022, Jan joined church pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland. In the past four years, Jan volunteered at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Edcouch, TX. She was the chairperson for the community outreach ministry for migrants in Reynosa, Mexico.

As Queen of the RGV Red Hat Queen’s Council, Jan chaired the “Festival of Tables” for several hundred Red Hatters. She was also active in the University of Texas PanAm International Women’s Board, Valley Newcomers Club, and RGV Nurse Honor Guard. Jan loved hosting events, traveling, spending time with family, and playing cards and board games.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents Alban and Angela Haug, brother Eugene “Gene” Haug, daughter Janel Bergman Allen, and son-in-law CDR William E. Allen. She is survived by her brother, LeRoy Haug of Topeka, KS; daughters Jolene (George) Jones of Columbia, TN, and Jennifer (Steven) Manning of Colleyville, TX; granddaughters Mandy (Andrew) Mauer of Poolesville, MD, and Avery Eisenbarth of Colleyville, TX; great-grandchildren Maddox and Reagan Mauer of Poolesville, MD; granddaughters by marriage, Ava Manning of Colleyville, TX, and Zoe Manning of Denton, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

One of Jan’s favorite quotes was, “I never thought I was put on this earth to gently tiptoe through life in hopes of arriving safely at death.” Her life’s journey stands as a testament to that conviction. She definitely left her footprint!

A Celebration of Life service and Mass will be held at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Edcouch, Texas, on May 9, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow on a later date at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Seneca, KS, where Jan will be buried beside her beloved husband, Paul.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jan’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.