Stacy Jan Zaelit

Stacy Jan Bergeson Zaelit, age 71, passed away in her home in Salt Lake City, UT, on July 27, 2025. Born in Shelly, Idaho, on January 30, 1954, the daughter of Fredrick William “Bill” and Bonnie Marie Gardner Bergeson, Stacy was the fourth child and only daughter, and was immediately encircled in love by all of her family.

In 1957, Stacy’s father, Bill, was the Bingham County, Idaho, State Senator from 1957-1961. In 1957, when Stacy was three, the Bergeson family won the first All-American Family of the Year award. They were selected out of forty-nine candidate families. This was an exciting time for the young Bergeson's as they won a house in Miami, a trip to Cuba, and many wonderful prizes. Due to the U.S. political strife in Cuba at the time, they never made that trip, which greatly disappointed her older brothers. Stacy’s father’s employment eventually involved the family living in Belle Fourche, SD, Salt Lake City and Provo, UT, and Pocatello, ID. Stacy’s parents were prominent members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her mother, Bonnie, was a well-known lecturer and teacher and perfectly complimented her dynamic husband. Stacy loved her parents, brothers, grandparents and her many uncles, aunts and cousins. She also dearly loved her son, Hans, and stepson, Zack.

Stacy was a beautiful, loving, giving, honest, and trustworthy woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly. She was filled with kindness, grace, goodness and patience. Although her life was often filled with many challenges and trials, her friend, Christine, said Stacy is best remembered for summarizing most sorrows and strife with, “Well, that’s just life!”, which especially highlights her great resilience and is a tribute to her LDS pioneer heritage.

Stacy is preceded in death by her husband John William Zaelit, her parents, her brothers, Willian David “Dave”, Steven J “Steve”, and Stanley C “Stan the man” … the Bergie Boys. She is survived by her son, Hans (Alicia) Smith, her five grandchildren, Christian, Drew, Carter, Ellie, Mason, and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her former stepson, Zack Zaelit, and half-aunt, Sharon Gardner Nixon.

Stacy’s gravesite service and interment will be among her brothers, on Wednesday, August 13, 2:00 pm, at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery, 3401 S Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106. Her extended family welcomes all who knew and loved Stacy to join them.