Donald Ernest DeMars, 84

Donald Ernest DeMars, 84, passed away peacefully at home with family on March 22, 2025, in Bigfork. He was born to David and Mavis DeMars on May 22, 1940, in Nevis, Minnesota. Donald was a beloved and devoted husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, and uncle.

Donald served in the United States Army in the 501st Infantry and was a paratrooper with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. While home on leave, he met the love of his life, Charleen, in a small flower shop in Libby. They married March 10, 1967. They were rarely apart; loving and working alongside one another to build a beautiful life together. 

He spent 33 years working for Pacific Power and Light. He started as a lineman and eventually became an operator, dispatcher, and substation inspector while working at the Bigfork Powerhouse.

Over the years, Donald enjoyed farming, raising cows and horses, hunting, fishing, camping, and taking road trips with his family. He was a man of integrity, compassion, kindness, and generosity. His love of family and his devotion to them will leave a lasting impression. He loved babies and children. When he became grandpa — and later great-grandpa, he filled the role so perfectly. Later in life, he got to enjoy the mountain view from his porch, watching the wildlife in the fields, and feeding the birds in the yard.

Donald is survived by his wife of 58 years, Charleen; their children, Daron (Sandy) DeMars and MeriKay (Jason) Morton; grandchildren, Jackie (Dan) Haddenham, Erin (Jed) Hoch, Megan DeMars, Reed DeMars, Matthew Morton, and Sarah (Reed) Platke; great-grandchildren, Athena, Orion, Olympia, Aurora, Jaxen, Tyesen, Peyton, MaKena, Logan, Hunter, Raylan, and Sawyer, and siblings, Shirley (Len) Koskela, Mavis Gordon, and Dan (Cyndi) DeMars; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in the chapel at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home on Friday, April 4, at 11 a.m., followed by military honors graveside at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. After the graveside ceremony, a reception will be held at the Swan River Community Hall in Bigfork.