Joan Bergman

Joan Bergman, age 88, of Estherville, IA, formerly of Kalamazoo, MI Joan was born on March 25, 1928 to Ernest Warren Robinson & Millicent (Wiswell) Robinson in Rockville, CT. She graduated from Central High School in Kalamazoo, MI, and earned her Bachelor's of Art degree from Kalamazoo College and a Master's degree from Western Michigan University. Joan competed in midwest and national tennis tournaments during her high school years. She served as a tennis pro at Stowe Stadium at Kalamazoo College in 1950 and 1952. She led Doc Hodgeman's National City Tennis Team for 4 years. Joan married Fredrick Arthur Bergman (August 9, 1952) and gave birth to their daughter, Rebecca, a year later. They enjoyed badminton, golf, Bridge and working together in the family orchard. Joan was a teacher in Michigan at junior high and high school levels for 34 years, serving Plainwell (1950-1954), Portage (1956-1957) and Kalamazoo schools from 1959 until her retirement in 1986. She especially loved teaching physical education and coaching in Hillside, Northeastern and South Junior Highs in the Kalamazoo system. Joan moved to Estherville, IA, in 2002 to enjoy time together with her sisters. Surviving are her daughter Rebecca (Paul) Rueckert of St. Louis, MO; one sister Janice Greig of Estherville, IA; three grandchildren Nathan (Micaela) Rueckert of Sioux Falls, SD, Brian (Kendra) Rueckert of St. Louis, MO and Katherine (Matthew) Gonzalez of Bronx, NY; six great-grandchildren (and one on the way), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, siblings Paul Robinson, Betty Wilson, Priscilla Robinson, Ernest Robinson, Jr., and Rebecca Denny. Joan has donated her body to the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine in Vermillion. A memorial service was held at Henry-Olson Funeral Home in Estherville, IA on February 16th. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Avera Holy Family Hospital, Okoboji Summer Theatre, or the Iowa Lakes Community College Summer Jazz Camp. Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa