Douglas J. DeMars

Douglas J. DeMars, of Zimmerman, passed away peacefully on April, 26th, surrounded by the love of his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was one of the rare kinds of people whose presence made everything feel steadier, stronger, and all around better.

Born and raised in Big Lake, Doug carried the values of hard work, humility, and community with him throughout his life. He was known by many as the friendly face behind sparkling storefront windows, having spent over 40 years cleaning windows. You could have found him scaling buildings or hanging off the side of one, hard at work, making sure every pane shined. For Doug, it wasn’t just a job - it was his way of giving back. For years, he would wake early to clean the town’s windows ahead of the parade, simply because he wanted his community to shine.

He had a deep love for the outdoors and could often be found hunting or fishing, happiest when surrounded by nature. He also had a passion for vintage snowmobiles, especially Scorpions, appreciating their history and the memories tied to them.

A man of strong and steady faith, Doug lived a God-centered life that shaped how he treated others - with kindness, patience, and quiet strength. He fought cancer with a resilience that inspired everyone around him, never losing his spirit or his ability to care for others along the way.

He found joy in life’s simple pleasures, spending time at auctions and flea markets, both buying and selling, connecting with people, and enjoying the stories that came with it.

Above all, he was a family man in the truest sense of the word. Family wasn’t defined by labels to him - it was defined by love, commitment, and showing up, day in and day out. He built a life where everyone had a place, where every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild was loved fully and equally. His pride in his family was unmistakable, and his greatest joy was simply being surrounded by them - sharing stories, offering guidance, and creating a sense of belonging that will carry on for generations.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Darlene; his children Jennifer (Derrick), Freeman, Bill (Michelle), Bob (Ami), Brent, Lea (David), and Ivan; 21 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Debbie (Rick), Mikan (Gay), Carmen (Rick), Terry (Linda), Mark (Theresa) and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edgar Lemke, Maxine Swanson and sister Bun.

Doug leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and service. His life was not measured in grand gestures, but in the countless small acts of kindness that made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.