Jean H. Berhow, 85, Fertile, MN, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile. 
Jean Helen LaVoi was born on June 6, 1936, to Clifford and Viola LaVoi in Fosston, MN. She was the third of five siblings. Jean went to Sletten Country School prior to attending Fosston High School. She graduated in 1954. After graduation, she enrolled in Golden Valley Lutheran College in Saint Paul, MN. Jean had to return home to take care of her father and younger siblings due to her mother suffering from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which eventually took her mother’s life at the age of 53. During this time, Jean took on the role as the maternal figure and worked in shifts at the Fosston potato plant. After it closed, Jean worked at the meat locker plant in Fosston and also cooked at the A&W drive-in restaurant. Jean did this to support her family as she slept during the day when her younger siblings were in school. Jean also enjoyed babysitting as she once stated, “I must have babysat every kid in Fosston.”
Jean’s faith was important to her as she was confirmed at Kingo Lutheran Church in Fosston, MN in 1950. Sometime in 1972, Jean met Fred Berhow at a Christian singles club in Fosston, MN and they married on June 15, 1974. They lived on a farm 10 miles northeast of Fertile, MN, where she enjoyed living the farm life and working as a school cook in the Fertile-Beltrami School. Jean’s hobbies included quilting, cooking, canning, baking, puzzles, and bowling. Jean was on the women’s bowling league. Jean was active at Little Norway Church as she was involved in Ladies Aid and the Alter Guild.
Jean is survived by her husband, Fred; children, Jason and Nicholas Berhow; siblings, Phil LaVoi and Joyce Matte; grandchildren, Edward and Allison Lee, Vianna Schermerhorn, and Adam and Caden Berhow; and many nieces and nephews.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Viola LaVoi; brother, Richard LaVoi; sister, Ann Liegman; and nephew, Scotty Liegman.
Funeral: 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.
Visitation: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a 6:30 PM prayer service on Friday, April 8, 2022 at Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home, Fertile, MN, and also one hour before the funeral at the church.
Interment: Little Norway Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.eriksonvikfh.com
Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home
Fertile, Minnesota
