Clarabell M. Demers, 113 passed away January 17, 2024. Clarabell was born November 3, 1910, in Acton Township to Philomina (Minnie) and Victor Campbell. Clarabell attended St. Aloysius Academy of Oakwood. Clarabell helped local families with caring for their babies and doing housework until 1930 when she married Frederick Demers. The couple made their home on a farm near Oakwood and together raised their three children, MaryJane, Donald, and Ronald. The couple moved to the village of Oakwood in the mid-1940’s where they owned and operated the Demers Tavern until the mid-1970’s. A devout Catholic, Clarabell saw all three of her children attend St. Aloysius Academy. Clarabell was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church of Oakwood and Altar Society. In 2001 she moved to an apartment in Grafton at the age of 90. Not one to embrace leisure, Clarabell continued to work as a Sample Lady at Denny’s Food Pride well into her mid ‘90’s. Clarabell volunteered at Walsh County Senior Meal
Bruce Leonard Fagerholt, 75, of Hoople, ND, passed away on January 7th, 2024, at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, ND after a long journey with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Bruce was born on June 14, 1948, in Grafton, the son of Leonard and Elaine (Westby) Fagerholt. He grew up on the family homestead farm south of Hoople, the fifth generation to live there. He attended rural Gryte School for three years before attending Hoople School, graduating in 1966. He then attended North Dakota State University where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho and Army ROTC, graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science in 1970. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served for two years, deploying to Vietnam from 1971-1972, where he received a Bronze Star.
Alfred Christopher Bellerud was born to Mads and Alvilda Bellerud on January 4, 1933 on the family farm between Adams and Park River, ND. He grew up on the family farm and attended the country school house through the eighth grade when he began working on the farm. He married Edna Kjenstad on June 28, 1952. Al served in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 during the Korean conflict. Alfred and Edna were married 18 days shy of 68 years. They were blessed with two children, Pamela Jayne and Paul Wayne.