November 5, 1912 – Friday, February 11, 2011
Service Information
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Bu
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
11:00am
Visitation Information
Dominic Leo DesMarais, age 98, a lifetime rural resident of Buffalo died Friday, February 11. He was born in Marysville Township on November 5, 1912 the son of LeRoy and Edith (Hance) DesMarais. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and was a life time member.
He married Adeline Thibodeau on June 14, 1941 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and was married for 68 years. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Monticello Township. In 1942 a daughter, Judith was born. Then he was drafted into the Navy and left in March of 1944. When he was gone a second daughter, Kathryn, was born. He was in World War II along with four of his brothers. He returned home in December 1945 and the family moved back to Monticello Township where Steven, Edwin, Rosalie and Dominic Jr. were born. Dominic went into the cattle business north of Buffalo with his brothers, Osmund and Lomer. When Osmund went out on his own in 1951, DesMarais Brothers was formed and he remained a livestock dealer driving his truck to farm sales and auction barns in Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Park Rapids, Motley, Belgrade, New York Mills, Winger, Pierz, Central Livestock Albany and many others each week. He retired in 1998 after 70 years in the livestock business. He took sick on January 2006 and went to live at Parkview Care Center until the time of his death.
His favorite past time was riding horse, driving truck, dancing, and visiting with people.
Dominic is survived by his children, Judith (James) Weldele, Kathryn (Dennis) Donovan, Steven (Pamela) DesMarais all of Buffalo, Rosalie (James) Riley formerly of Buffalo now in Blaine, Dominic Jr. (special friend – Lanae Nelson) of Buffalo.
Survived by grandchildren: (Judy’s children) – Danny (Adrean) Weldele, Diane (Joe) Toohey, Debbie Weldele (special friend Sinisa Djukic). (Kathryn’s children) – Teresa (Daniel) Clifton, Gerald (Amy) Smith, Brenda (Jon) Dietrich), Dr. Carl DuCharme (Fiancé Carly Smith), Scott (Kristi) DuCharme. (Steven’s children) – Annie (Kirt) Fisher, John DesMarais (special friend Kelly Wold), Brian (Amy) DesMarais, Jayne DesMarais (Fiancé Brandon Geyen), Michael DesMarais. (Rosalie’s children) – Caroline (Reid) Wilber), Marie Myrlie. 4 step grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 13 step great-grandchildren.
Further survived by sister and brother-in-law – Camilla & James Campbell. Sisters-in-law: Doris DesMarais, Mabel DesMarais and Norita DesMarais. Brother-in-law: Leonard Thibodeau.
Preceded in death by his wife, Adeline (October 2009), son, Edwin (July 1970), granddaughter, Sally DesMarais, son-in-law, Ralph DuCharme, parents, LeRoy and Edith DesMarais, sisters & brothers-in-law – Ethel & Ole Olson, Gladys & Carl Larson, Loretta DesMarais. Brothers & sisters-in-law – Alden DesMarais, Bavo DesMarais, Lomer DesMarais, Osmund, Ione & Adeline DesMarais, Harding & Betty DesMarais, Marah (MT) DesMarais and Aelred DesMarais Mother-in-law & Step Father-in-law – Kathryn & Robert Munsterteiger. Sister-in-laws & brother-in-laws – Betty (Edward Glunz) Lloyd Kippley & Evelyn Thibodeau.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Wednesday, February 16, 2011 by Father David Hennen at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, Minnesota.
A visitation will be held Tuesday from 4-8pm at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue in Buffalo with a prayer service at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning at the church from 10:00am until the time of service.
Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Buffalo.
My condolences go out to all of the family. Uncle Dominic was a very special man….
We are sending our love & condolences to all of the family. Your dad was a very loving, special man. I’ll always remember all the wonderful family gatherings we all shared & there were many!!!! He was always so upbeat & happy. Boy could he dance up a storm! He now will be free of pain & suffering & join your mom & his other family in heaven with our Lord. Get the cards out & let the dance music start, Dominic is here!!! Love to all of you. Wished I could be there at this time but miles keep us from it.
Love, Anita
Dear Judy and family,
Sorry to hear that your dad passed away. You are in my prayers.
Mary Jo Gapinski
May Dominic rest in peace. I have very warm memories of him growing up. He always had a smile on his face. As a child, I remember the great wedding dances. Oh how the DesMarais’ dance. That is something that you don’t see anymore. Blessings to all of you during this difficult time. May the memories warm your heart always.
Becky and Dave Withrow
Dear Judy, Jim, Kathy, Denny and families;
We are in Arizona and heard that you lost your dad. I know we had many conversations regarding our parents in the nursing home and want you to know you have our deepest sympathy. We can be thankful for all the years we had with them and they are now at peace with our Lord in Heaven.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved one. From the moment I started at P.V. on the memory loss unit, Dominic and I clicked; I grew so attached to him. It’s amazing the bond we find in people in the places you least would expect it. I loved seeing that man each day that I came into work. He’d see me and get so happy and be waving, then give me a hug. I really felt like for some reason we were brought together. Whether it was his benefit or mine, I’d say it’s a toss up. I think about Dom and his donkey like noises he’d make at times…eeeeawwww eeeeawwww. He brought so many smiles and laughs to me….and several tears. (Like I said I got really attached to Dom and I gave him the very best of everything I had). I hate to say I had such a favorite but Dom was it. I’m glad that there isn’t anything that could be causing him pain anymore but man, I’d really like to know how Dom was as a younger man because I sure loved the older Dom. On his birthday I brought in big frosted cupcakes and it was so funny I kept sneaking Dom just a little bit extra. I was so very lucky to meet and get to spend time with Dominic…and his totally cute son that looks like the spittin image. Rest in peace, Dominic
Love, April