Connie Acord Bergstedt

Connie Acord Bergstedt passed away unexpectedly in May 2026 at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, learning, service, compassion, and unwavering love. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, teacher, mentor, and friend.

Born on October 12, 1941, to Frank Donald Acord and Faun Ellen Terry Acord in Mount Pleasant, Utah, Connie was the third of seven children. Her father worked for Union Pacific Railroad, and as a result, the family moved frequently throughout her childhood. Her experiences of moving around a lot, taught her resilience and gave her a deep appreciation for belonging, connection, and community.

Education was one of Connie's lifelong passions. After graduating from Bountiful High School in 1959 she was accepted to the University of Utah and majored in English and minored in speech. In 1964 she graduated after which she earned she earned her teaching credentials.

She went on to teach English at both the junior high and high school levels. Whether in a classroom, church calling, business setting, or her own home, Connie never stopped encouraging others to learn and grow. On June 20, 1964, Connie married the love of her life, Einar Wickman Bergstedt in the Manti Utah Temple. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and service. They had three children: Stacy Lynn, Lisa Ayn, and Matthew Einar.

Connie and Einar spent more than 40 years building a life together. In 1968, they helped establish and operate the first Kentucky Fried Chicken takeout location on Lombard and Fillmore Streets in San Francisco. Connie's communication skills and gift for teaching led her to write the companies first training manual and later contribute to the Harman Management Guidebook.

While her children attended high school, Connie returned to school at West Valley College in Saratoga, California to expand her education, she studied psychology, Spanish, tennis, and so much more.

Deeply rooted in her faith, she also devoted time to learning about other religions and spiritual traditions believing that understanding others fostered compassion, respect, and connection. She always sought to understand her divine purpose.

Whether in education, business, church service, or family life, Connie possessed a rare ability to organize, communicate, encourage, and help others succeed.

She loved playing cards and enjoyed attending Hale Theatre productions with her sister-in-law, Helen Bradshaw and was an avid reader whose curiosity never diminished.

Though her passing leaves a profound absence, her influence remains woven into the lives of all who knew her. Her family, friends, students, church community, and countless others carry forward the lessons she taught by example: to keep learning, to be kind, to show up, to serve, to love deeply, and to make room at the table for others.

Connie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Einar Bergstedt; her cherished son, Matthew Bergstedt; parents, Frank and Faun Acord and other beloved family members who welcomed her home.

Connie is survived by her daughters, Stacy Wright and Lisa Ortega (Shayne); daughter-in-law, Ingjerd Bergstedt; grandchildren, Jakob and Erik Bergstedt, Thomas, Jacob, Katie, and Kelly Knight, Ellen Wright, and Anthony and Matthew Ortega; sisters, Vicki (Darryl) Bybee and Tamara (Del) Ririe; brother, Donald (Shawn) Acord; sister-in-law, Helen Bradshaw; brother-in-law, Steven (Irene) Bergstedt; and uncles, Eugene Terry and Golden (Cheryl) Terry.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, Utah, with a visitation from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. at the same location. Interment will follow at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Passcode: 714472