Mary Jane Calgaard
Mary Jane Calgaard, a beloved teacher and the heart of her family, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 92. Formerly of Joice and Lake Mills, Mary Jane had moved to Omaha in 2017 to be close to her family. She resided at Maple Ridge Retirement Community and transitioned to Parsons House Assisted Living and Memory Care for her last four years. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice, with Pastor Bill Peters officiating. Visitation will precede the service at 9:30 at Bethany, and inurnment will take place at Concordia Cemetery, rural Joice, with Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, handling arrangements. The family kindly requests that any memorials be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice; the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org); or the charity of your choice.
Born Mary Jane Bergan on Aug. 29, 1932, at home on the family farm near Lake Mills, she was the daughter of Walter Roy and Nora (Nystuen) Bergan. Mary Jane was baptized and confirmed at Sion Lutheran Church. She attended Bristol Country School and graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1950.
After earning her teaching degree from Waldorf College in 1952, she embarked on a long and fulfilling career in education, teaching in Lake Mills, Buffalo Center, Hanlontown, Joice, and Thompson. She furthered her education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Drake University in 1970.
On April 12, 1953, Mary Jane married Robert (Bob) Calgaard at Bethany Lutheran Church, Joice, where she remained a loyal member throughout her life. Together, they welcomed three children: Patrice Marie (1954), Michael Robert (1955), and Linda Sue (1956).
While Bob farmed with his father, Mary Jane dedicated herself to teaching, primarily first and second grades. Over her 27-and-a-half-year career, she taught all grades from first through junior high, even having the joy of teaching her own children. She retired from teaching in 1983, but continued to share her passion for learning by tutoring.
Following her retirement, Mary Jane took on secretarial duties for Bob’s insurance business until his retirement in 2006. Their strong bond and teamwork endured through 62 years of marriage until Bob’s passing in 2015.
Beyond her professional life, Mary Jane cherished letter writing, journaling, long country walks, golf, bridge, and cross-country skiing. She maintained connections with dozens of family and friends through cards and letters, including weekly correspondence with her cherished sister, Ruth. Always eager to stay in touch, Mary Jane readily adapted to email to communicate with many.
Mary Jane is survived by her son, Mike, and daughter, Linda (Stephen) Worrell. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Erin (Joe) Woracek, Ryan (Daisy Briceno) Muldoon, Anna (Ken) Schaffart, Sarah Calgaard, Todd (Marcela) Worrell, and Chad Worrell. Her great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Beckett Woracek, Mila Schaffart, and Dylan and Miles Worrell, will also carry on her memory. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Genie Calgaard, and many special cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Bob; her daughter, Pat; her brother and sister-in-law, Don and Elaine Bergan; her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Al Disrud; and her brother-in-law, Ronald Calgaard.
