Dennis Desmarais

Dennis passed away peacefully on October 11, 2025 at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. 

He was born December 16, 1947 in Yakima Washington to Jerome and Elizabeth (Bouchey) Desmarais. He graduated in 1967 at Sunnyside High School in Sunnyside Washington. 

Dennis enlisted in the United States Navy in 1968 and served as a Navy Seabee at Danang Harbor Vietnam as a truck master.  His unit trucked supplies from Danang Harbor to other units in the Jungle.  After his time in the service he spent time as a meat cutter and worked with his dad on the hop ranch in Outlook Washington. He was working for Cenex in Grandview Washington when he met and married his wife, Linda (Sowers) Desmarais on Sept. 21, 1973.

After their marriage they moved to Sandpoint Idaho where Dennis worked as a shipping clerk for the Cenex store there known as The Co-op Gas & Supply. 

In 1976 they moved to Connell Washington to start Desmarais Brothers Excavation with his older brother Gary Desmarais.

Their daughter, Lisa was born in Richland Washington in 1977 during their time there.  In 1978 they moved back to Sandpoint where Dennis returned to work at The Co-op Gas & Supply.  Retiring in 2019 as Store Manager.

Dennis enjoyed fishing, water skiing and boating on Lake Pend Oreille, as well as hunting and bowling.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda of Sagle Idaho, his daughter, Lisa Dye of Sandpoint, Idaho; grandsons Christian of Eugene, Oregon, Codi of Sagle, Idaho; granddaughters  Alexis of San Diego, Ca; Annalyn and Kyleigh of Sandpoint, Idaho; two great-grandchildren Amyra Dye and Quentin Thorn.

His brothers Gary of Connell, Wa; Donald of Mabton, Wa; Tim of Naches, Wa; Tom of Connell, Wa.  His sisters Sharon Marriotti of Tacoma, Wa; Cindy Ross-Heydt of Florida, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Debra Beazley and brother Kerry Desmarais.

Dennis's Memorial Service will be held at Kootenai Community Church, Kootenai Idaho at 1pm Friday, October 24th, 2025.

His Graveside service will be held at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, Washington on Saturday November 1st, 2025 at 11am.

There will be a non-host luncheon at Bon Vino’s in Sunnyside after the graveside service.

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