Boyd William Demmer, 94, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2021 at Prairie Senior Cottages in New Richland, MN surrounded by family.
Boyd was born on a farm near Hartland, MN on October 21, 1926, the son of William and Lillian (Preiss) Demmer, who raised him on the farm milking cows and growing corn and soybeans. He was drafted by the United States Army in 1944 reporting first to Fort Snelling, MN followed by bases in Missouri, Texas, Oregon and Washington from where he traveled by boat to Japan. He remained in Japan until Fall 1946 serving his last eight months as an M.P. Boyd returned to the United States through San Francisco, CA before coming home to live in Albert Lea, MN. He was discharged from the Army on December 10, 1946. He joined the American Legion and the Army National Guard, where he served until 1952.
Boyd married Dorothy Johnson in August 1947. They lived in Waseca, MN for several years, where he worked as a mechanic in a Ford car dealership. After a serious automobile accident, he began selling Ford and Oliver farm machinery. Subsequently, he relocated the family to Hartland to sell John Deere farm machinery. In 1957 Boyd, in partnership with his brother Lyle Demmer, bought the John Deere dealership in Hayfield, MN and moved the family there.
Boyd was very active in the community and served Hayfield and the surrounding area in several capacities. He served as commander of American Legion Rothie Post 330 in Hayfield from 1963-1964, remaining an active member for 74 years. Boyd helped charter the Hayfield Lion’s Club in 1966, later serving as club president. In 1972 he was elected the District Governor of Lion’s Multiple District 5M1 and was honored to serve as the Chairman of the Governor’s Council. He helped recruit members for and chartered approximately 12 clubs in southeast Minnesota. He was involved with organizing, building, and financing the Oaks Golf Course serving on the board for 7 years including a term as President. Boyd actively participated as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving on the church council including a term as President, and he assisted in building the Hayfield community swimming pool.
In 1983 Boyd sold the John Deere Dealership considering himself to be retired. While he continued to be actively involved with his sons in the farm operation, he and Dorothy spent time traveling to visit family and friends and to their Florida home. They also spent summer weekends with family at their Roberd’s Lake cabin in Faribault, MN. In 1990 Boyd and Dorothy sold their Hayfield home and moved to Faribault. Boyd lived there until January 2020 when he moved to Prairie Senior Cottages.
Boyd is survived by his daughter Diane (Gary) Hitzemann, New Ringgold, PA, and their children Alison (mother of Maya, Samuel and Quinlan) and Alena (mother of Rhys and twins Greta and Sayer); his son Randy (Kathy) Demmer, Hayfield, MN, and their children Lauren (mother of Grant and Rowan), Ann (mother of Olive and twins Ellis and Kai) and Margeaux (mother of Stella and Ivey); his daughter Linnae (James) Sathre, Waconia, MN, and their children Connor, Lindsey (mother of Raegan), Ryan (father of Brooklyn) and Garrett (father of Elle and Georgia); his grandson Brooks Demmer, Ft. Leavenworth, KS (son of Alan and father of Tyler); his sister Arlys (Richard) Haug, Albert Lea, MN; and his sister Devonna (Gerald) Olson of Amery, WI.
Boyd was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Demmer, his son Alan Demmer, his parents, five brothers and four sisters. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield, MN, The USO (United Services Organization) or Wounded Warrior Project.
Visitation was Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield. The funeral service followed and burial in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield.
Blessed be his memory.