Nancy Joyce (Bergstrom) Elder

Nancy Joyce Bergstrom Elder was born October 3, 1942, in St. Paul MN, to Theodore Rutherford and Grace Montgomery Bergstrom.  She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on July 11, 2016.

            Nancy spent her childhood in St. Paul MN and Portland OR, growing up the eldest of the four Bergstrom children: Larry, Denny, and Jan. Her piano talents kept her involved in school and church music throughout her youth. She attended Northwest Nazarene College, graduating in 1964.
            Following graduation Nancy moved to Portland OR, where she taught elementary school and was active in her church. Friends introduced Nancy to a fellow Nazarene who was also a school teacher, Dallas Elder. Their love blossomed, and they were married in Portland on March 16, 1968.  As Dallas worked on his Master’s Degree, Nancy continued to teach. They moved back to St. Paul MN in 1970 where their first child, Melanie, was born.

            Nancy and Dallas began their partnership in ministry in 1969, serving teenagers and children in Denver CO, Phoenix AZ, Portland OR, and Nampa ID. While on staff at Central Church of the Nazarene in Portland, their daughter Brenda was born.  Nancy was fully involved in supporting their work, directing musicals, accompanying on the piano, organizing group camping trips, and preparing meals over the campfire for 30 teens.

            After moving to Nampa Nancy continued to teach elementary school at Central Elementary and Centennial Elementary. As always, she was a vital part of her church music program. Nancy served as church organist at College Church of the Nazarene for 30 years and produced two CDs of favorite offertories. She loved to crochet and make a variety of crafts, travel internationally and across the country with her husband, friends, and children, camp in their trailer, attend BSU football games, and play with her six grandchildren.

            Nancy Elder was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Grace Bergstrom, and numerous aunts and uncles. 

            Nancy Elder is survived by her faithful husband of 48 years, Dallas B. Elder; her loving daughters and their husbands, Melanie & Mark Hilty and Brenda & Mason Vail; her precious grandchildren Andrew, Reagan, Peter & Cole Hilty and Austin & Ashtyn Vail, all of Nampa; her sister Jan Jellerson and her sons of Nampa; her brothers Larry Bergstrom of Vancouver WA, and Denny & Julie Bergstrom of Leavenworth KS. She is also survived and remembered by her many friends at College Church, especially the Pathways Sunday school class and the Festival Choir.

The family is deeply grateful to St. Luke’s Hospice and the people of College Church for their care and support.

           Services will be held at the College Church of the Nazarene on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 11 a.m. A viewing and visitation will be available on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at Nampa Funeral Home.  Private family entombment will be in the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Northwest Nazarene University music department.

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