In Memory of Delmyra Duchay Demings

Delmyra Duchay Demings, age 82, of Cambridge, passed away July 1, 2019 after long illnesses.  Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 27th, 2019, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, in East Bethel. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., Service at 12:00 noon.

Delmyra Duchay Demings was born on March 14, 1937, in Chicago, IL. She was baptized one month later at Zion Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and was confirmed in 8th grade. She attended Jehovah Lutheran grade school and Kelvyn Park High School. Delmyra excelled academically (National Honor Society) and musically. Delmyra was a premier area soprano soloist and a cellist in the orchestra.

Delmyra married Donald M. Cislo, Sr. shortly after her high school graduation. They lived in the dorms at the Illinois Institute of Technology where Don was in the Engineering Program (later the law program at DePaul University). Their first daughter, Darise, was born while living there. To this union 3 more children were born: Donald M. Cislo, Jr., Daniel Miles Cislo, and Delmyra Melanie – all within five and one-half years. The couple divorced nine years later.

After moving to Minnesota, she met and married Leroy Demings. They were married for 27 years until Leroy’s death. They enjoyed adventures which included a several years stint in North Dakota when Leroy worked on the power plant in Mandan. While there, Delmyra embraced a different life and culture. She and a farm-wife friend went into a weekly bread-making business taking orders on one day and delivering the next.

Delmyra enjoyed many things for work and passion. She was a wife, mother and grandmother and great-grandmother, She was a vocal soloist, pianist, organist, played the cello; was a server at five-star restaurants in Chicago; a professional seamstress working on original creations and Vogue patterns; she sold cosmetics, jewelry, and clothes; raised pedigree rabbits for show and for meat; she gardened and canned; Delmyra could cook! She painted-oils, watercolors, and acrylics. She was a crack-shot who enjoyed target practicing and even hunted, on occasion. She always looked forward to a new challenge! She worked at Multicare Associates in Blaine for 20 years. Delmyra enjoyed being a Red Hat member, and singing with the Cambridge Lutheran Prime Time Singers. Delmyra served as organist at Faith Lutheran Church and other area churches. She sang for weddings and funerals. For many years, until her health prevented her, Delmyra cherished her role in service as church pianist/keyboard at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

Delmyra had wonderful extended relationships with friends, cousins, in-laws, and special acquaintances. She struck up meaningful conversations wherever she went. She loved to shop. She was almost always late.

Delmyra was slow to anger- she never raised her voice to her lively children! Yes, this is true! When Mom got quiet we, children, knew we were in trouble. She taught her children to pray in thanksgiving and for guidance. She was patient and kind with difficult people, and was always loving to her many animals. She could be opinionated – and stood her ground. She had a keen sense of humor. She was very optimistic and wore “rose-colored” glasses preferring to always see the positive path. Delmyra handled hardship and adversity, blessings and good fortune- equally, with grace and dignity.

Quoted from her journal on the occasion of her 77th birthday, March 14, 2014 she wrote:

“Good Morning! Thank you Lord for all these years; for wonderful parents; kind and beautiful, normal and intelligent children; good friends, and a talent to serve in your House of Worship. It has been a good life!”

Delmyra passed away on July 1st, 2019, at the age of 82, after long illnesses. Delmyra is preceded in death by husband, Leroy Demings; parents, Emil and Anna Duchay; brother, Emil Duchay, Jr.; sister, Geraldine Hanus; and infant grandson, Seth Cislo.

Delmyra is survived by her children, Dari (Larry) Hogie, Don Cislo (sweetheart, Cindy Kunowski), Dan (Lisa) Cislo; and Delmyra Melanie-”Dolly” (Bo) Bennett; 12 grandchildren: Donald M. Cislo, III, (Amanda); Bri Ana Vogel (Matthew); Thia (Christopher) Kampa; Ryan Cislo (Stephanie); Caroline Haber (Kevin); Byron Bennett; Fallon Cislo; Meilani Bennett; Kelley Cislo; Jennifer Williams (Braxton); Valery (David) Naskrent; Rachel (fiancé, Caleb Ibanez) Cislo; Great Grandchildren: Avianna Cislo, Vivienne Kampa, and Sienna Cislo. Cherubs are awaited in 2019 and early 2020 to Jenny and Braxten and Donny and Amanda, respectively. Nieces Christine Wetherell, Suzanne Sheets, Kathryn Hanus Chang and their families; Nephew, George Hanus, Jr.; Sister-in-law, Lois Duchay; Cousins Gloria Malina and Steve Belan; and father of her children, Donald M. Cislo, Sr. (Sharon).

Memorials preferred to St. Andrew Lutheran Church.