Keith Demarais Thief River Falls, MN age 64 died unexpectedly on Monday, May 27, 2013 while enjoying Memorial Day at his cabin at Maple Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 31, 2013 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will be held on the family lot at Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston, MN at 9:00 AM Saturday, June 1, 2013. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Friday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Keith Edmund Demarais was born on April 4, 1949 in Crookston, MN the son of Lewie and Vivian (Strand) Demarais. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Crookston, MN. Keith attended Franklin Elementary School in Crookston and graduated from Central High School in 1967. Keith then attended Moorhead State College where he studied mathematics. In the spring of 1970, Keith joined the Army National Guard in Lemmon, SD. He served for the next six years at the Armory in Lemmon, SD, Crookston, MN and Thief River Falls, MN. On June 1, 1970 Keith was united in marriage to Karen Proulx in Crookston, MN. To this union seven children were born, Shannon, Amie, Rachel, Rebecca, Joel, Ryan and Megan. Keith worked a variety of jobs in Crookston until 1976 when he began his career with Culligan Water Conditioning. In the spring of 1980, Keith purchased the Thief River Falls Culligan Water Conditioning franchise which he owned and operated until 2011. He then transitioned to Northwest Water Solutions, where he was proud to sell American made Hellenbrand water conditioning products. On December 14, 2012 on a crisp winter evening at the Floyd B. Olson Park gazebo, Keith was united in marriage to Kay Tischler. Kay added to Keith's family her four children, Alicia, Elizabeth, Roberta and Benjamin. Keith enjoyed fishing, woodworking, snowmobiling, books, listening to music, dancing, driving his golf cart, taking motorcycle trips, socializing, helping his children and community, working on the farm, and spending time at Maple Lake. Keith was a volunteer fire fighter in Plummer for many years, a member of the Plummer Lions Club and was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Survivors include his loving wife, Kay of Thief River Falls; children, Shannon (Jonathan) Fleischer of Bismarck, ND, Amie Treitline of Reynolds, ND, Rachel (Troy) Paulson of Goodridge, MN, Rebecca Demarais of Minneapolis, MN, Joel (Marielle) Demarais of Minnetonka, MN, Ryan (Ashley) Demarais of Summerset, SD, and Megan Demarais of Minot, ND; step-children, Alicia (Justin) Denman of Iowa City, IA, Elizabeth Erickson, Roberta Erickson, and Benjamin Erickson all of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Mason Rud, Madison Rud, Rowan Fleischer Daugherty, Allison Treitline, Isaac Treitline, Gabriel Paulson; step-grandchildren, Jace Erickson, Norah Sagstuen, and another step-granddaughter due in June; siblings, Lewie (Shirley) Demarais of Mansfield, TX, Carol (Eugene) Solheim of Crookston, MN, Kathy (James) Hanson of Watertown, SD, David (Betsie) Demarais of Fargo, ND, Lois (Michael) Yarborough of Waxahachie, TX, Robin (Todd) Tollefson of Beltrami, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents.