Clarabell M Demers

Clarabell M. Demers, 113 passed away January 17, 2024.  Clarabell was born November 3, 1910, in Acton Township to Philomina (Minnie Collette) and Victor Campbell. Clarabell attended St. Aloysius Academy of Oakwood. Clarabell helped local families with caring for their babies and doing housework until 1930 when she married Frederick Demers.  The couple made their home on a farm near Oakwood and together raised their three children, MaryJane, Donald, and Ronald.  The couple moved to the village of Oakwood in the mid-1940’s where they owned and operated the Demers Tavern until the mid-1970’s.  A devout Catholic, Clarabell saw all three of her children attend St. Aloysius Academy.  Clarabell was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood and Altar Society. In 2001 she moved to an apartment in Grafton at the age of 90.  Not one to embrace leisure, Clarabell continued to work as a Sample Lady at Denny’s Food Pride well into her mid ‘90’s. Clarabell volunteered at Walsh County Senior Meals and Unity Hospital Auxiliary.  At the time of her passing, Clarabell was a resident of Lutheran Sunset Home.

Clarabell loved music and dancing.  She relished the New Year’s Bashes at the Demers Farm when she and Fred were a young couple.  She was a member of the Oakwood Homemakers Club, Kitchen Band, Polka Lovers of America, and at 72 years of age, danced the Charleston in a solo performance for the Grafton Community Theatre during their 1982 Centennial Production. She loved her high heels, sparkly clothes/jewelry, and polished nails.

Clarabell was a hard worker, painting her house, mowing her lawn, and working in her garden into her advanced years.  Known by her family as a meticulous cleaner, her motto was “cleanliness is next to godliness.” Through the years she became known as Grandma D, not only to her family but to many others in the community.

Grandma D loved quilting, playing cards, and crocheting.  Each of her 19 grandchildren and most of her great-grandchildren have blankets lovingly crocheted by Grandma D. Clarabell became an avid bowler in her 70’s. As she got older, Clarabell’s goal was to bowl her age.  She gave up the game after she turned 106.

Clarabell is survived by her son Donald (Alice) Demers, daughter-in-law Cyrilla Demers, 19 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Clarabell is proceeded in death by her parents Philomina and Victor, husband Frederick, sister Odell (Lawrence) McCarthy, brother Harold (Bertha) Campbell, daughter Mary Jane (Philip) Sevigny, son Ronald, several infant children and great granddaughter Mary Alexandra Campbell.

Memorials may be made in Grandma D’s honor to Sacred Heart of Oakwood Cemetery Fund, The Lutheran Sunset Home, or Unity Medical Center Foundation.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery of Oakwood in the spring.  The service will be livestreamed via the Tollefson Funeral Home, Inc. Facebook page.