Obituary of Mercedes Alfreda Demo

Mercedes Alfreda Demo, 80, of Duluth died on January 11, 2020 in Hermantown, MN with her daughters by her side. She was born on May 9, 1939 to Muriel and Alfred Engen in Duluth, MN and joined her brother, Gerald, until his unexpected death in 1942. She was also preceded in death by her parents, that included her dad Nick Hietalati; and husband Royal Demo.

She is survived by and will be dearly missed by her daughters Connie Ann (Chris) Pirkola, and Shelley Lynn (Michael) VanArsdale; grandchildren Christopher VanArsdale, Nick Pirkola, Jordyn Pirkola, Mercedes “Sadie” VanArsdale along with Jesse Smalley and Emily Johnson; and great-granddaughter Aurianna VanArsdale who called her grandma Nurse; Sisters Elaine (Larry) Edwardson and Kathy (Arthur-Curly) Patterson and their families.

Mercedes and Royal enjoyed camping and fishing. Mercedes added to her family when she met Royal; Survived by Deborah Krause, Kenneth Krause, Lou (Steve) Parendo, and Brian (Kathy) Demo; grandchildren Jenny (Jamie), Angela (John), Andy (Erin) and their families. A special thank you to Angela and John Dixon and great granddaughters Heavynlee, Mia, and Savannah for your special visits with grandma.

Mercedes graduated from Denfeld and continued her education after her girls started school. She retired from the Duluth Fire Department. The family would like to thank Edgewood Hermantown community for all their care and friendship. She truly cared and enjoyed your life stories you shared. Also, special thanks to Essentia Hospice for making her comfortable in her final days.

Visitation will be from 2:00, until the 3:00 service, Monday January 20, 2020, at the Cremation Society 4100 Grand Avenue in Duluth, MN. Pastor Jim Hagen will be officiating.