Anna Marie (Mary) DeMarais (77) of Bemidji, Minn. passed into eternal rest on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023.
Service of the word for Mary will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner Officiating. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Red Lake Falls MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
She was born April 2, 1946 daughter of the late Leonard Arthur and Dora Mabel (Bratton) DeMarais at St. Vincent Hospital, Crookston. Anna was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls. She started taking care of children at a young age and held several waitressing jobs throughout her life. Anna worked in a daycare for many years and, in the last few years before her retirement, she adored her role as foster grandma for 137 children at Bi-Cap Head Start in Bemidji, where she was affectionately known as “Grandma Mary”.
A proud Democrat, Mary enjoyed interior decorating, constantly updating and rearranging her home. She loved music, especially Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Cher along with the golden oldies of the 50’s and 60’s. Mary loved dancing, even in the aisles of her local grocery store, hitting the garage sales bright and early on Saturday mornings, visiting with friends over coffee at RBJ’s in Crookston and Country Kitchen in Bemidji, and especially enjoyed taking care of her family and kids. She had a kind heart, and would literally give the shirt off her back to anyone in need. A dedicated helper, she was a member of Holy Family Church in Halstad, Minn., where she served in the kitchen, taught Sunday school, and was an usher.
Survivors include her children Peggy Schmitz, Red Lake Falls (RLF), Richard Dargon, Crookston, Deanne (Kevin) Reynolds, RLF, Bobbie (Craig) Spry of Britt, Rusty (Tracy) DeMarais, Great Falls, Mont., Angela (Billy) Kohler, Perham, Alex Lundon, Crookston, Benjamin DeMarais, Perham; grandchildren Seleena Navar, Bemidji, Kelly (Sean) Hicks, RLF, Kyle (Audrae) Schmitz, Grand Forks, N.D., Rochelle (Marshall) Mickelson, RLF, Travis Vaudrin, Minneapolis, Sarah Vaudrin, Portland, Ore., Adam and Aaron Spry of Britt, Brittney Chapman, Crookston, Axel Beckman, Moorhead, Holly, Shilo, Isaiah, and Faith DeMarais, Great Falls, Damara Reynolds, RLF, David Lundon, Perham, Scott Tyler, Maple Lake, Sienna Osborne, Solway, Nova DeMarais, International Falls; great-grandchildren Vin Navar, Charlize Porraz, Bridget and Vanessa Hicks, Brayden and Willow Chapman, Leon, Loki, Xavier, Ignatious, and Valentine DeMarais, Emma, Autumn, Treyson, and Quentin DeMarais. Brother Ben Camp of Peru, sisters Carole Docken, Portland, Ore,. Donna (Michael) Parenteau, Pullman, Wash., several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, five brothers: infant Leonard Joseph, Dwayne, Tony, Terry, and Russell DeMarais, and grandson Sebastian DeMarais. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
May the memory of Anna Marie, aka Mary, Mom, Grandma, GG, be eternally blessed.
