
Joel Andrew Berge was born March 18, 1988 to John and Nancy (Kohls) Berge in Fargo. He was raised in Fargo, and graduated from Fargo North High School in 2006. He worked as a finish and framing carpenter for several years. He enjoyed swimming, handball, and golf, and was proud of his "hole-in-one" at El Zagal Golf Course when he was 10.