Mary Ann Demorest

Mary Ann Demorest, 70, of La Crescent died on Tuesday March 18, 2014 at the Golden Living Center following a short battle with cancer. She was born on August 14th, 1943 to Charles and Josephine (Becker) Hickey and grew up in La Crosse, WI. She attended school at Aquinas graduating with the class of 1961. She married her high school sweetheart, Leon John Demorest Jr. on February 9, 1963 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in La Crosse.

When her children John and Teresa started going to school, Mary Ann began a new career as the Crucifixion Catholic school secretary for over 20 years where she could have every summer off with her children. In 1993, Mary Ann retired due to her MS. Mary Ann was a long time member of the Church of the Crucifixion and Crucifixion CCW. Cooking for friends and family was her joy. The tradition of baking at Christmas, was loved by all, passing that tradition on to her daughter and granddaughters. Mary Ann loved weekends when the grandchildren were young and slept over. Leon would always say, We dont spoil our grandchildren. We just give them everything they want. Her grandchildren were her world. They each have their own special memories of Grandma including treats, the outing to the mall with her at Christmas, and visiting her in the nursing home after school. Teresa shared a special bond with her Mom even on days when she forgot her name due to dementia. Teresa never gave up and loved her mom unconditionally. Chris, her son in law, had a way of teasing Mary Ann and always getting the best of her but Mary Ann could hand it right back. Mary Ann is survived by her daughter Teresa Ann (Christopher) Heidel, three grandchildren Corporal Michael (Corporal Kwajalein) Heidel stationed in Okinawa, Alyssa Heidel, attending St. Cloud University, and Rebekah Heidel of La Crescent. Additional survivors include two sisters, Kathleen (Jesse) Brown, Dunedin, FL, Margaret (Michael) Hoff of Onalaska, one brother Charles Hickey of Monroe, Wis., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and also greeted in heaven by her husband Leon John Demorest and son John Leon Demorest.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent. Rev Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial will follow in the Crucifixion cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crescent chapel; 111 South Oak St., on Tuesday from 4 until 7 P.M. and again at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 A.M until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Mary Anns memory.