Agnes Sarah (Jensrud) Demarais

Agnes Sarah Jensrud Demarais was born January 3, 1926, to Eva and Gilbert Jensrud in Crookston, Minnesota. The fourth of eleven children, she was named after her grandmothers, Agnes Chapman and Sarah Jensrud.

She attended country school and helped on the family farm. In her childhood years she met her forever sweetheart Jerome Demarais, who lived on a neighboring farm and would often visit the family. She later attended high school in Crookston to help her brother Marvin, who was disabled, and graduated at the age of sixteen.

Agnes and Jerome were married October 16, 1943, and in 1944 welcomed their son Steven Jerome. Later in 1944, Jerome was called to serve in WWII. Agnes continued to live in Crookston with Steven while anxiously awaiting the homecoming of her sweetheart. She worked intermittently as a model and as an actress in movies for the Crookston School District. After being discharged in 1945, Jerome and Agnes moved to Duluth and onto Coon Rapids.

On December 1, 1956, Jerome’s sister Josephine gave birth to Karen Marie; however, tragedy struck when Josephine was unable to survive childbirth. Jerome and Agnes raised the baby as their own and later adopted her into their family.

They eventually came to live in White Bear Lake where Agnes became an auditor for the IRS until she retired in 1988.

Agnes spent her early retirement years with Jerome in Bemidji, Minnesota on a hobby farm raising ducks, chickens, and turkeys until Jerome passed in 1992. They were married for 49 years. She then moved to Monticello, Minnesota to be near her family. In her spare time she enjoyed making quilts and her famous cookies which she gave as gifts to her family and friends. She remained a devoted Christian attending church every Sunday. Recently she resided at the Keller Lake Assisted Living Facility in Big Lake, Minnesota.

Agnes passed away on November 21, 2024, at the age of 98. She is preceded in death by her parents Eva and Gilbert Jensrud; her husband Jerome Demarais; granddaughter Valerie Lynn; grandson-in-law Anthony Ybarra; brothers Orville, Marvin, Harvey, Donny, Duane, and Ervin; and sisters Viola, and Shirley. She is survived by her son Steven Jerome (Sue) Demarais; daughter Karen Marie (Mark) Dahl; sister Charlotte (George) Sparrow; brother Allen John “Jack” (Susan) Jensrud; grandson Scott (Tammy) Demarais; granddaughter Paula (Scott) Hazelton; grandsons Matthew, and Michael Dahl; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. We want to thank you, GIGI for teaching us ALL about love, home, and family. May your sweet soul rest in peace. A service to celebrate the life of Agnes will be held at 11AM on Saturday, November 30, 2024, with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, 250 Broadway Street East, Monticello, Minnesota. Lunch will be served following the service at the chapel. Interment at the Riverside Cemetery in Monticello will take place after the luncheon. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson-Grimsmo Funeral Chapel, Monticello. 763-295-2918. (www.peterson-grimsmochapel.com)

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