Ronald E. Demers

Ronald Edward Demers was born August 14, 1936 near Oakwood ND and passed away April 25, 2015 in Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. He was the son of Frederick and Clarabell (Campbell) Demers. Ron attended school at St. Aloysius Academy of Oakwood. In 1954 Ron enlisted in the army; he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Ron married Cyrilla (Suda) April 13, 1959 in Vesleyville, ND. They were blessed with seven children. Ron and Cyrilla made their home in Oakwood until 1980 when he accepted a position as a rural mail carrier in Fordville, ND. In 2001, Ron and Cyrilla returned to Oakwood. Ron worked for Kutz & O'Brien, Demers Conoco, and made his life's work as a mail carrier. Ron also farmed for many years with his brother Don. Ron was a member of the Grafton V.F.W., Grafton Eagles, and Fordville American Legion. Ron was active in local education; serving as President of Chase P.T.A., a member of the Grafton Public School Board, the Fordville School Board, and Upper Valley Special Education Board. Ron was a member of the Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood. Ron was preceded in death by his father Frederick, mother and father in-law Angela and William Suda and brother-in-law Paul Suda. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Cyrilla, daughters Denise (Jeff) Sande Bakersfield, CA, and Bev (Paul) Stremick Walhalla, ND, sons Roger of West Fargo, ND, Bob (Cindy) Blaine, MN., Mark (Coralee) Moorhead, MN., Marvin (Heather) Fargo, ND, and Tom (Ashley) Moorhead, MN, 16 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson. Ron is also survived by his 104 year old mother Clarabell of Grafton, sister Mary Jane (Philip) Sevigny and brother Donald (Alice) all of Oakwood and their families. Thirty-seven nieces and nephews called him Uncle Ron. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A prayer service begins at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Tim Schroder presiding. Visitation at the church will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow immediately after the service in Sacred Heart of Oakwood Cemetery. Military honors will be performed by the Fordville American Legion and the North Dakota National Honor Guard. Memorials may be made in Ron's honor to the Perpetual Cemetery Fund of Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood, Valley Ambulance, Unity Hospital of Grafton, Lutheran Sunset Home or the charity of your choice.