Hilda Bergsneider

Hilda Garcia (Plata) Bergsneider passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025 at her home surrounded by family and friends. She was 98 years old, passing a few short weeks from her 99th birthday! Mrs. Bergsneider was the founder and "Ballet Mistress" of the Sierra Vista Ballet: a community cultural icon. The annual production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, was a staple of the holiday season for over 45 years!

Hilda was born January 10, 1927, in Bogota, Colombia. Her early years were spent climbing trees with her brother, and as she put it, "being a bit of a tomboy." Hilda's passion for the Ballet began to grow during her pre-teen years. While initially studying to be a concert pianist, she used her climbing skills to access the local theater's cat walks above the stage. She would learn the steps of all the classical ballets by watching the touring ballet companies. Her desire to dance continued to grow as she took a job as accompanist for the ballet school's classes. It soon became clear she was more interested in learning the steps than playing the accompaniment! She was accepted into the prestigious La Academia de Ballet in Bogota and graduated with a Professor of Elementary Ballet Instruction in 1950 at the age of twenty-three.

At the time of Hilda's graduation from the ballet school, she had already met her future husband, Peter Bergsneider, whom she married in 1952. A year later her first son, also named Peter, was born and the family emigrated to Oklahoma City. Her second son Carl was born in 1955 while her husband was both working and earning his bachelor's degree. Son number three, Larry, was born in 1958 and son number four, Marvin, was born in 1961. They converted the garage to a small ballet studio where she began teaching. Peter began working civil service for the Army as an engineer, which resulted in moving to Maryland, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Hawaii, and then finally back to Sierra Vista in 1973. She enjoyed the adventure and raising four boys, but her ballet interests had been put aside.

Once finally stationed in Sierra Vista, they purchased a track home still under construction on Palo Verde Dr. Peter and sons were able to make AC and electrical modifications to the framed home, and then later built the attached ballet studio. The Sierra Vista Ballet was born. Her students ranged in age from 4 up to seniors in their 70's! All were welcome to come and dance. She did not attempt to run the business from a profit motive but wanted to make the learning of the art of ballet as accessible to the wider public as possible. Hilda worked tirelessly: choreographing, teaching, and mentoring students. Also, being an accomplished seamstress, she made many of the costumes used in the ballet productions while her husband, Peter, created the elaborate backdrops and props for each performance. Even after the passing of her husband, she continued to teach and put on performances for a couple of years. Hilda continued to remain active teaching the ladies' class and a fitness walking class for neighbors until she was 96 years old.

Hilda is preceded in death by her husband Peter Bergsneider and also her son Peter.

Hilda is survived by her sons, Carl (Candee) of Silver Lake, Ohio with two grandsons; Larry (Diane) of Sierra Vista; and Marvin (Linda) of Los Angeles with two grandchildren: and a daughter-in-law, Wilma, with two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Survivors also include generations of students from all walks of life to include professional dancers, doctors, lawyers, etc. as the discipline of dance teaches the disciplines of life.

A Celebration of Life will be held January 24, 2026 at Village Meadow Baptist Church 1407 El Camino Real, Sierra Vista beginning at 2 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the ASPCA at ASPCA.org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">secure.ASPCA.org under the heading memorial gifts with acknowledgement cards being directed to the following email: Wk1958plants@icloud.com

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