Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bergeson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University.

In 1978, Bergeson won 74% of the vote to be elected as California State Assemblywoman for the 74th Assembly District.

In 1994, Bergeson won more than 98% of the vote to win the election as an Orange County supervisor, representing the 5th District.

Bergeson resigned from her supervisorial seat in 1996 when she was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson as California secretary of education.

Bergeson died at the age of 90 due to complications from surgery for pancreatic cancer at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California.