Funeral services set for North Dakota's oldest living citizen

(Grafton, ND) — North Dakota’s oldest living citizen has died.

Clarabelle Demers died early Wednesday morning at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, according to her family. She was 113 years old.

Demers, passionately known by many as “Gramma D,” was living at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton at the time of her death. Up until a couple of years ago, Demers remained active in the Grafton community through a weekly bowling league at the local bowling alley. In 2020, Demers celebrated her 110th birthday in the midst of a pandemic — capped off with a parade around the Lutheran Sunset Home, led by local law enforcement and the local ambulance service — in addition to her loved ones.

"She touched countless North Dakota lives in a positive way over her remarkable life," North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum said in a statement. "We join the entire Demers clan, and all those in her community who had the joy of knowing Clarabell Demers, in celebrating her incredible life."

Funeral services have been set for Demers. A mass will be held on Thursday, January 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton, with visitation for one hour prior to the mass. Demers will be buried in the spring at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery in Oakwood.