Trending
FAIRMONT -- "She will soar on wings like eagles." Janette Hertha Behne, age 84, passed away Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, after bravely battling Glioblastoma brain cancer. She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband of 65 years, Bruce Behne, who passed away last year. A celebration of life service for both Bruce and Janette will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minn. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Janette Behne was an accomplished chef and restauranteur serving her culinary creations to many dignitaries including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Sam Walton and family, and Julia Child's niece. Starting in the restaurant business as Behne's in 1973, her food became a Fairmont favorite. Savored memories of her signature 'made from scratch' meringue cream pies and nostalgic comfort food are still reminisced about locally today decades after her retirement. Janette and family moved to Rogers, Arkansas in 1979 to open Lakeside where she repeated her recipe for success establishing a white linen restaurant voted one of Arkansas' best many years in a row. Janette returned home to Fairmont in 1996 where she reopened Behne's and eventually retired with Bruce in 2000.
Janette was born April 15, 1938, to parent's Emil M. Zanter and Etta Speckmeier of Fulda. She married Bruce Behne of Trimont in 1956 and they raised six children together. After retiring from over 35 years in the restaurant business, Bruce and Janette travelled the United States together in an RV with their beloved cat, Georgia. They adventured on the back roads and met up with family and friends along the way. She adored her 8 grand and 14 great-grandchildren and was cherished for her homemade cookies and "smooches" as she called them. Grandma Janette was also known to collect teapots and all that knew her well would gift one when visiting. When her vast collection started to outgrow her small home, she built shelves in a three seasons porch off the garage to proudly exhibit the overflow. It was a purposeful return of affection from a woman who knew she lived a life abundant of love. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Janette is survived by her six children, Vicky Behne, Debra Roben, Kim Behne, Jeff Behne (Bob Gillam), Alisa Behne (Alok Sharma), and Naomi Behne (Chuck Blair); her sister, Emily Johnson (John) of Fairmont; brother, Richard Zanter (Diane) of Sioux City; 22 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Behne, whom she cared for during his own cancer battle until his death on Oct. 30, 2021; beloved sisters, Donna Ackerman, Joell Metcalf (Bob), Leone Vandermoon (Harold); brother, Roman Zanter; and son-in-law, David Roben. Janette would like to thank all of her family, friends and neighbors for their support during her and Bruce's cancer battles. Donations to Immanuel Lutheran Church in the name of "Bruce and Janette Behne Memorial Fund" will go towards a thinking garden and landscape fund. www.kramerfuneralhome.com