Jean DeMars

Obituary of Jean DeMars Houghton Jean De Mars, age 75, lost her battle with a rare inoperable cancer on May 15, 2008. By the grace of God and through her faith in her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, she has gone home to heaven. She was born, Gladys Jean, in rural Chassell on January 20, 1933, to Henry & Olga (Marttila) Kolehmainen. The family moved to Redridge when she was 2 years old and spent her entire childhood there attending the Redridge School and graduating from Houghton High School with the Class of 1950. On April 7, 1951, she was united in marriage to Arthur F. De Mars of Houghton. They first made their home in West Houghton and then for 40 years in rural Houghton, returning to West Houghton five years ago. Jean's first job after high school graduation was receptionist and aid to Dr. Leonard C. Aldrich. She also was employed as secretary at U.P. Power Company, Herman Gundlach, Inc., the former Suomi College; and S.S. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church. She was a devoted and loyal member of S.S. Peter & Paul Lutheran Church in Hancock for 49 years having held several church council positions and then as church secretary. In 2002, she joined membership at Peace Lutheran Church (Wels) in Houghton to the present time where she found comforting peace and personal joy. Preceding her in death was her father in 1983 and her mother in 1995. Survivors include her loving husband, Arthur, and children, Mark De Mars of San Jose, California; Michele (James) Sober of Carbondale, Colorado; Marcia (Ronald) Froh of Grafton, Wisconsin; and Jason (Laurel) De Mars of Madison, Wisconsin. Five Grandsons: Shawn (Stacey) Preston of Charlestown, Indiana; Jesse Froh of Galveston, Texas; Justin Froh of Rifle, Colorado; Neil Sober of Rifle, Colorado; and Ryan (Leia) Sober of Silt, Colorado. Four Great-Grandchildren: Annibelle and Carter Preston; and Emily and Enya Sober. Four brothers: Gordon of Livonia, Michigan; Jack (Betty Ann) of Houghton Canal; Floyd (Gloria) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Robert of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and special in-laws, Jim & Betty De Mars of Neenah, Wisconsin. Services for Jean will be held 11 a.m. Monday May 19, 2008, at Peace Lutheran Church in Houghton, with the Rev. Glenn Schwanke officiating. Burial will take place at the Forest Hill in Houghton. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Monday. The family suggests any memorials be directed to the building fund at Peace Lutheran Church or the Omega House in Jean's memory. Special thanks to the caring staff at the Omega House, for their love & kindness. To view Jean's Obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Jean DeMars, please visit Tribute Store