Mathilda (Tillie) Elizabeth (Krantz) Berhow, 98, passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at Sacred Heart Care Center surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Tillie was born Aug. 31, 1915, to August and Tena (Kundy) Krantz in their Austin, Minn., home which is still standing today. She was one of five children. She attended Austin Country School through eighth grade. On July 21, 1941, she married Carroll Berhow and resided in Oakland, Minn., later moving into Austin. They had six children.  She worked at the Hormel Packing Plant for 43 years. Her first love was spending time with her family, which she did often. After retiring, she volunteered in many different capacities such as calling bingo and working at Burr Oak and St. Marks Nursing Homes. Tillie had a strong Christian faith and was a long-time, active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, the Eagles Auxiliary, Royal Neighbors and the Red Cross blood mobile. Tillie’s hobbies included fishing, dancing, bowling, playing cards, refinishing/refurbishing old furniture and upholstery. She loved to watch her Minnesota Twins, western movies and driving around in her jacked-up blue El Camino. Her laugh was contagious and everyone knew her by her laugh.  She moved into Our House Assisted Living of Austin in September of 2005. Everybody in Austin knew Tillie it seemed and she had many, many friends.

She leaves behind her loving family which includes: son, Denny (Sandy) Berhow, of Stewartville, Minn.; daughters LaVonne Husemoller, Linda (Marshall) Halvorson and Janice (Jim) Benesh, all of Austin; one sister-in-law, Darlene Berhow, of Oakland; 14 grandchildren: Cathy McFarland, Patty Willard, Randy Becker, Sheila (Craig) Muller, Mark (Michelle) Husemoller, Tina Husemoller, Annette (Corey) Olson, Trent (Sharon) Berhow, Tamara Hajek, Leslie Ann Fox, Michelle (Mike) Wolfe, Amy (Jason) Kelvie, Lisa (Scott) Bucher, and Renee (Brent) Thompson, 31 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She was very proud of all of her children and their families. She loved being part of as many of their gatherings and activities as possible.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, one sister, two sons, Jerry and Jimmy, two sons-in law, Leslie Munson and Russ Husemoller, one granddaughter, Krissy, one infant grandson, Timothy, and long-time friend, Maynard Kolpin.

We want to recognize the outstanding staff and caregivers at Our House Assisted Living for the past 8 1/2 years and the friendships made.  In addition, a warm thank you to the staff and caregivers at Sacred Heart for the past month. Your friendship and compassion are unmatched. Tillie touched many lives in many different capacities in her 98 years. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Austin with the Rev. Brian Krueger officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens. There will be visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Thursday and at the church on Friday morning for one hour before the service.