07/09/2026
We will miss Dominique Berhan! His smiley disposition and gentle nature were felt by all. He was a valued member of our Basque club β bringing out the harmonica, singing around the table, and playing mus every week.
Memorial services will be Friday, July 10th, at 11 a.m. at St. Gall's Catholic Church in Gardnerville, NV. Goian bego, Dominique.
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Dominique Berhan was born September 6, 1939, and raised in the small Basque town of Caro, France, until about age 12, then in Irouleguy until, at 17, he left for the United States for better opportunities.
He was sponsored by the Cedarry family as a sheepherder in Kerman, California, for five years. He spoke of being alone at night, crying from homesickness, but was determined to build his American dream.
He met Gracieuse Etcheverry while out dancing in the early 1960s, moved to San Francisco to be closer to her, and married her on December 14, 1963. Nine months later, their first daughter, Jane, was born, followed quickly by second daughter Yvette.
Dominique held many careers β cheesemaker, sheepherder, finish carpenter, gardener, and motel owner β though shepherding remained his favorite. He worked hard and played hard: pilota, pala, harmonica, Basque songs, mus, and storytelling with family and friends. He had an especially close group with whom he hunted, camped, and fished, and everyone still speaks of how magical those times were. Swimming wasn't this group's strongest skill, but many chances were taken chasing that one fish just out of reach. Incredibly, no one was seriously hurt, though a few took an unexpected dunk in the river β maybe God's way of making sure they got baptized.
Dominique leaves behind daughters and sons-in-law Jane Gray (David) and Yvette Berhan-Bryon (Roy); grandchildren and spouses Ethan Gray (Megan), Patrick Berhan (Larissa), and Taylor Gray; and great-grandchildren Walker Gray, McKinley Gray, and Dominic Berhan. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Marie-Teresa Berhan, Odette Etcheverry, Marguerite Etcheverry, and Annie Nogues, and many godchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Artzai Ona β Basque Ministries, basquecatholic.org.
