Audrey Jean Berard, 97, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls.
Audrey was born on June 15, 1927, in Grand Forks, ND, to Rock and Josephine (Sherette) Dumontet. She grew up in East Grand Forks, MN, where she attended Sacred Heart School. After graduation, she worked at Star Cut-rate Drug Store in Grand Forks. On November 26, 1946, Audrey married Edward Hector Berard at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks. Together, they built a life in Bathgate and Lakota, ND, before settling in Thief River Falls in 1952. They farmed in Silverton Township for many years before moving into town in 1996.
Audrey worked at Arctic Cat from 1967 to 1982 in the Fiberglass Department and hood repair. She was a dedicated member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Silverton Homemakers, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Audrey found joy in gardening and tending to her flowers and cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her two children: Gary (Dawn) Berard and Gale (Jerome) Cota of Thief River Falls; five grandchildren: Julie (Brian) Bugge, Lynn (Andrea) Berard, Jeffrey (Amy) Cota, Jason (Crystal) Cota, and Nathan Cota; and twelve great-grandchildren: Katrina (Dylan) Langevin, Mariah (Nathan) Martinson, Blake, Hunter, and Hannah Bugge; Emily and Luke Berard; Brody Cota and Callie (Elijah) Mans; Aaron and Morgan Cota, and Charlotte Cota; step-great great grandchildren, Brynlee & Cylah Langevin. Audrey is also remembered by Alia Cota and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Edward on October 2, 1999; her parents; one brother Harvey (Florence) Dumontet; and two sisters: Agnes (Vincent) Driscoll and Marie (Harold) Edvall; Edward’s siblings, Lloyd “Jerry” (Patricia “Patsy”) Berard, and Lillian (George) Fanfulik; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 PM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 PM on Monday, January 20, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Father Rick Lambert will preside. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
Audrey’s memory will live on through the love she shared with her family and friends.
Condolences may be sent at www.trfnews.i234.me
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