Irene Demers

Irene Demers, age 100 of Grafton, ND and formerly of Oakwood, ND passed away on Saturday, December 01, 2012 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton. Irene French was born November 14, 1912 near Grafton, ND the daughter of the late Andrew and Aurore (LaBerge) French. She attended St. Aloysius Academy in Oakwood and graduated from St. James High School in Grand Forks. Irene was united in marriage to Ovila Demers on November 13, 1933 in Oakwood, ND. The couple made their home in Oakwood where he operated a garage and they raised their family. He died June 3, 1961. Following his death she worked at Jay's Studio in Grafton for several years and later worked as a cook at the Grafton Developmental Center, retiring at age 72. She moved to the Senior Apartments at the Lutheran Sunset Home in 2002 and moved into the home in February 2010. Irene was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Choir and Altar Society. She was a member of the Catholic Daughter's of America and Oakwood Homemakers. Her hobbies included gardening, writing, reading, playing cards and sewing. She loved to entertain and her house was full of people all the time. In Irene's later years she took a writing course and enjoyed writing short stories. Irene is survived by her daughters: Diane (Robert) Peterson, Sumner, WA; MaryAnn French, Grand Forks, ND and Yvonne (Dale) Welter, Chaska, MN; 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren; sister-in-law; Clara Belle Demers, Grafton, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Duane and daughter-in-law Mary Ann, grandson Russell, three sisters and nine brothers. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Oakwood. Visitation will be Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the church cemetery.