DaMaris Ann Lofgren

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, DaMaris Ann Lofgren (Dee), our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 82.  She and her husband, Russell were longtime residents of Maple Grove, MN, as well as winter snow-birds to Texas.

Dee was born to Kenneth and Ida (Berdin) Stoakes on August 26, 1938.  Growing up in Northeast Minneapolis she was the younger of two children. Her brother Don, 12 years older, was not a part of her young life as he enlisted in the Air Force and shortly thereafter married and moved to California.

In tenth grade Dee met the love of her life, Russell.  There began their forever love and they soon became inseparable. After meeting their parents’ requirements, Russ and Dee were finally married June 29, 1957.  They celebrated 62 years of marriage while on this earth.  We’re sure there is a great HAPPY reunion going on in heaven right now.

Russ and Dee have two children—twins—Russell Warren Lofgren, JR and Susan Lynn (Dumire) who were affectionately called Rusty and Susie in their early years.  During the pregnancy, Russ and Dee were only planning and preparing for one child. It wasn’t until the day Dee went into labor that the Doctor heard two heartbeats. Surprise and overjoyed they were!

In her youth, Dee first worked as a Car Hop at the A&W Drive Inn in the neighborhood. She later held various positions in the clerical field, modeling, realtor, and as an assistant cook.  Her most memorable experience was her role as an Executive Secretary in the BioMedical Field for Medtronics.

Dee’s passion for art and creativity was evident throughout her life. She learned music at a young age and performed in Vaudeville during her Junior and Senior years in high school.  She loved to sing in choir and preferred to play the piano in the quiet of her home.  One of her piano pieces (that was anything but quite) was “The Flight of the Bumble Bee” and the “Baby Elephant Walk.”  We had fond memories of drifting off to sleep while she practiced in the basement. Following the plunking and dancing of these ivory notes, she’d occasionally miss a key—and out would pop an expletive that would give us a good chuckle (she never knew that we could hear her).

Later in life she became an avid reader and researcher—looking for ways to improve their lives and the lives of those she loved.  She was a self-taught artist, but eventually studied and took lessons in Oil Painting—a medium she preferred over others. She went on to accomplish quite a few challenging paintings.

No recipe ever presented her an unbeatable challenge and we could certainly say that we ate very well!

Another expression of her creativity was sewing. She loved the challenge and mastered making her daughter’s wedding dress from scratch, combining her daughter’s desire of two different designs and making them into one beautiful wedding gown.

Dee had a tenacity to charge forward through any challenge that came her way—regardless of the outcome. Her love for her husband and family was fierce and she had compassion for those in need and often found herself as a caregiver of family members and friends. She was a giver…She often gave of her love and her loyalty and would not give up on you. 

When she accepted Jesus into her heart as Savior on November 20, 1983, there was such a radical transformation in her life.  She no longer had the desire for cigarettes or alcohol anymore. She was passionate about sharing Jesus with others and was concerned for those who had lost their way.  Both Russ and Dee made a dynamic pair in God’s kingdom. 

Dee was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Ida (Berdin) Stoakes, her brother Donald Stoakes, her husband Russell Lofgren Sr, and her son Russell Lofgren Jr. She is survived by her daughter Susan (Richard) Dumire, her 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 3 step great-grandchildren, and 1 step great-great grandchild.

Celebrations of Life and Interment will be Private.