Red Lake Falls - William "Bill" Demarais, 82, died Wednesday, September 29, 1999 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, October 2, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls with Rev. Tim Bushy officiating. Polly Beyer was the organist, and special music was provided by St. Joseph's Church Choir.
Casketbearers were Mike Greskowiak, Chad Greskowiak, Jamie Demarais, Dusty Demarais, Bret Krueger, Joshua Ricketts, Chris Demarais, Jeff Audette, Nathan Roy and Ben Parkin. Honorary casketbearers were all of Bill's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Burial was in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Gentilly. The Petterson Funeral Home of Red Lake Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
William George Demarais was born on May 23, 1917 in Gentilly township of Polk county near Red Lake Falls, the son of John B. and Justina (Trudeau) Demarais. He attended a rural school near his home and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gentilly.
On November 4, 1937, Bill was united in marriage to Lucille Vaudrin at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gentilly, and the couple lived and farmed in Gentilly township. Following their retirement in 1980, they moved to Red Lake Falls. Since February of 1999, Bill had resided at Hillcrest Nursing Home.
He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls and an active member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO). He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey, and his favorite pastimes included playing cards and watching all types of hockey games.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lucille of Red Lake Falls; seven daughters, Deloria "Dee" Greskowiak of St. Paul, Luella (Duane) Greskowiak of Anoka, Janet (Hank) Knott of Monticello, Theresa (Rick) Ricketts of Red Lake Falls, Audrey (Dennis) Roy of Dilworth, Celeste (Thomas) Morris of Crookston and Jeaneanne Demarais of Missoula, MT; three sons, James (Christine) Demarais of Red Lake Falls, Roman (Pauline) Demarais of Bloomington, and Vern (Marlys) Demarais of Crookston; 34 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Alice (Harvey) Bombardier of San Pablo, CA, Mae Theroux of Red Lake Falls and Irene (Lloyd) Philion of Red Lake Falls.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Margaret Audette and Cynthia Demarais; his parents; six sisters, Eva Houle, Laura Baril, Lucille Snyder, Marie Page, Virginia Houle and Delia Bombardier; and one brother, John Demarais. A00003B1999OT04