Willmar DesMarais

Willmar ?Bill? DesMarais, age 88, of Staples died Monday, April 4, 2005 at the Lakewood Health System-Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 8, 11 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, with Reverend Father Peter Kirchner officiating. Friends may visit Thursday, April 7, 5-8 pm, at Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, with rosary and parish prayers at 5:30. Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.
Willmar Charles DesMarais was born April 1, 1917 in Staples, to the late Eugene and Ella (Link) DesMarais. He worked in the restaurant business, operating a soda bar called ?Fats?, the Eastside Drive Inn, and a bowling alley in Staples. He also operated the Fireside in Detroit Lakes, the Castaway on Lake Alexander, and the Silver Moon Lodge on Lake Alexander before retiring to San Diego in 1973. He moved to St. Cloud in 1991 and returned to Staples three years ago. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and his faith meant a great deal to him. He was a congenial man with a wonderful sense of humor, and he had many friends.

Bill is survived by a sister, Helen Davis, of Memphis, TN; sisters-in-law Joan DesMarais, of Staples and Nina DesMarais, of Albequerque, NM; many nieces and nephews; as well as many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Howard, Donald, and Leo DesMarais; and sisters Eugenia Poore and Laverna DesMarais.