Ronald J. DeMarce
Owner and Funeral Director
Ron is a native of Red Oak, IA, and began working in 1975 at Sellergren-Lindell- DeMarce Funeral Home. In 1976, Ron graduated from Red Oak High School. He attended Wayne State College, Wayne, NE, before graduating summa cum laude in 1979 from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, OH. Ron returned home to Red Oak and served his internship with Kenneth Lindell. On August 1, 1988, Ron and his wife, Sara, purchased an interest in the funeral home and on January 2, 1991, purchased the firm from Kenneth and Delores Lindell. Ron’s love and dedication to helping others during one of the most challenging times of their lives has been lived as his calling, not a job.
Ron has been and continues to be active in his profession, community, and area of
southwest Iowa that he loves. He is a member of Iowa Funeral Directors Association
and has served several terms as District Governor, from 1989-1992 and 2018-2026.
In 2020, Ron was honored to receive his 40-year licensed pin. He is also a member of
the National Funeral Directors Association. Locally, Ron is a member of the Red Oak
Kiwanis Club, Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor,
Montgomery County Family YMCA and its Endowment Committee, and Faith
Community Church, having served each as president, chairman or on assorted
committees. He enjoys supporting and attending the Wilson Performing Arts Center
performances and theater. Over the years, being a Red Oak school’s supporter has
been important as he, Sara and their boys graduated from Red Oak. Grandchildren
attend Stanton and East Mills schools, and he enjoys cheering for them in all their
activities and their schools. Ron is a member of Red Oak Elks Lodge and a past
volunteer with the Red Oak Volunteer Fire Association.
Ron and Sara have two sons: Rylee DeMarce and wife, Melissa and three daughters;
and Rudee DeMarce and wife, Jessica and three sons. Ron thoroughly enjoys
spending time with family, their activities, and adventures.
Ronald J. DeMarce
Owner and Funeral Director
Ron is a native of Red Oak, IA, and began working in 1975 at Sellergren-Lindell- DeMarce Funeral Home. In 1976, Ron graduated from Red Oak High School. He attended Wayne State College, Wayne, NE, before graduating summa cum laude in 1979 from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, OH. Ron returned home to Red Oak and served his internship with Kenneth Lindell. On August 1, 1988, Ron and his wife, Sara, purchased an interest in the funeral home and on January 2, 1991, purchased the firm from Kenneth and Delores Lindell. Ron’s love and dedication to helping others during one of the most challenging times of their lives has been lived as his calling, not a job.
Ron has been and continues to be active in his profession, community, and area of
southwest Iowa that he loves. He is a member of Iowa Funeral Directors Association
and has served several terms as District Governor, from 1989-1992 and 2018-2026.
In 2020, Ron was honored to receive his 40-year licensed pin. He is also a member of
the National Funeral Directors Association. Locally, Ron is a member of the Red Oak
Kiwanis Club, Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Court of Honor,
Montgomery County Family YMCA and its Endowment Committee, and Faith
Community Church, having served each as president, chairman or on assorted
committees. He enjoys supporting and attending the Wilson Performing Arts Center
performances and theater. Over the years, being a Red Oak school’s supporter has
been important as he, Sara and their boys graduated from Red Oak. Grandchildren
attend Stanton and East Mills schools, and he enjoys cheering for them in all their
activities and their schools. Ron is a member of Red Oak Elks Lodge and a past
volunteer with the Red Oak Volunteer Fire Association.
Ron and Sara have two sons: Rylee DeMarce and wife, Melissa and three daughters;
and Rudee DeMarce and wife, Jessica and three sons. Ron thoroughly enjoys
spending time with family, their activities, and adventures.
Sara L. DeMarce
Owner and Funeral Assistant
Sara is a native of Red Oak, IA. She graduated from Red Oak High School in 1981
and attended MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS. Sara worked for a local
dentist for 6 years. In 1988, she began assisting at the funeral home and continues to
this day. Over the years, Sara has also volunteered in the community she loves. She is
a member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter HB; the Montgomery County
Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, having served as president; the Montgomery County
Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, and Red Oak Public Library Board. Sara and
Ron enjoy supporting and attending events at The Wilson Performing Arts Center,
too. For 25 years, Sara served the American Cancer Society as a county board
member and Daffodil Days Chairperson. A member of Montgomery County Family
YMCA, she enjoyed playing tennis in the ladies and mixed doubles leagues. Sara
served 15 years as coordinator for Southwest Iowa Community Bible Study. A
member of Faith Community Church, Sara has served in the past as Sunday School
teacher, with Vacation Bible School, and Awanas. She currently attends Sunday
School Connections class, Prime Time Bible Study, and she and Ron are part of a
small group. Over the years, being a Red Oak school’s supporter has been important
as she, Ron and their boys graduated from Red Oak. Grandchildren attend Stanton
and East Mills schools, and she enjoys cheering for them in all their activities, their
respective schools, and communities.
Married to Ron DeMarce since 1983, they have two sons, Rylee DeMarce and wife,
Melissa and three daughters; and Rudee DeMarce and wife, Jessica and three sons.
Sara thoroughly enjoys spending time with their family, attending their events,
activities and adventures.
Sara L. DeMarce
Owner and Funeral Assistant
Sara is a native of Red Oak, IA. She graduated from Red Oak High School in 1981
and attended MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS. Sara worked for a local
dentist for 6 years. In 1988, she began assisting at the funeral home and continues to
this day. Over the years, Sara has also volunteered in the community she loves. She is
a member and past president of P.E.O. Chapter HB; the Montgomery County
Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, having served as president; the Montgomery County
Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, and Red Oak Public Library Board. Sara and
Ron enjoy supporting and attending events at The Wilson Performing Arts Center,
too. For 25 years, Sara served the American Cancer Society as a county board
member and Daffodil Days Chairperson. A member of Montgomery County Family
YMCA, she enjoyed playing tennis in the ladies and mixed doubles leagues. Sara
served 15 years as coordinator for Southwest Iowa Community Bible Study. A
member of Faith Community Church, Sara has served in the past as Sunday School
teacher, with Vacation Bible School, and Awanas. She currently attends Sunday
School Connections class, Prime Time Bible Study, and she and Ron are part of a
small group. Over the years, being a Red Oak school’s supporter has been important
as she, Ron and their boys graduated from Red Oak. Grandchildren attend Stanton
and East Mills schools, and she enjoys cheering for them in all their activities, their
respective schools, and communities.
Married to Ron DeMarce since 1983, they have two sons, Rylee DeMarce and wife,
Melissa and three daughters; and Rudee DeMarce and wife, Jessica and three sons.
Sara thoroughly enjoys spending time with their family, attending their events,
activities and adventures.
Rudee P. DeMarce
Funeral Director
Rudee graduated with honors from Red Oak High School, Red Oak, IA.
He attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO, before
graduating cum laude and earning his bachelors degree from Cincinnati
College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, OH. While at CCMS, Rudee
was awarded the Charles O. Dhonau Memorial Embalming Award in
Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in the Combined Theory and
Practice of Embalming. He served and completed his internship at
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home and is a member of the Iowa
Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors
Association. While Rudee works full-time for Grainger, he continues his
license and helps at the funeral home when needed.
Rudee and his wife, Jessica have three sons: Carter, Crew and Cillian, two
English cream retrievers: Cub and Gus and cats: Dirt Bike and Mabel.
Rudee and Jessica are very busy coaching and attending the boys’ school
and sporting activities.
Rudee P. DeMarce
Funeral Director
Rudee graduated with honors from Red Oak High School, Red Oak, IA.
He attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO, before
graduating cum laude and earning his bachelors degree from Cincinnati
College of Mortuary Science, Cincinnati, OH. While at CCMS, Rudee
was awarded the Charles O. Dhonau Memorial Embalming Award in
Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in the Combined Theory and
Practice of Embalming. He served and completed his internship at
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home and is a member of the Iowa
Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors
Association. While Rudee works full-time for Grainger, he continues his
license and helps at the funeral home when needed.
Rudee and his wife, Jessica have three sons: Carter, Crew and Cillian, two
English cream retrievers: Cub and Gus and cats: Dirt Bike and Mabel.
Rudee and Jessica are very busy coaching and attending the boys’ school
and sporting activities.
Marlys Conrad
Funeral Assistant
Marlys is a native of Pipestone, Minnesota. She came to Red Oak in
1967 to teach music in the Red Oak Schools. She graduated from
Morningside College in 1967 with a degree in Music Education.
Since that time, she has accrued advanced degree hours from
Drake University, Morningside College, and Northwest Missouri
State for continuing education. She retired in 2005, after teaching
music for 38 years. Marlys is active in music throughout the
community, playing in the orchestra for "Sound of Music" at the
Wilson Performing Arts Center, studying violin with Strings
Unlimited to the present day, and playing piano and singing in the
choir at the Red Oak Presbyterian Church. She is also an avid
Bridge player. Marlys and her husband, Joe, have two children,
Sarah and Derek, and 7 grandchildren. She has been employed at
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home since September 2006.
Marlys Conrad
Funeral Assistant
Marlys is a native of Pipestone, Minnesota. She came to Red Oak in
1967 to teach music in the Red Oak Schools. She graduated from
Morningside College in 1967 with a degree in Music Education.
Since that time, she has accrued advanced degree hours from
Drake University, Morningside College, and Northwest Missouri
State for continuing education. She retired in 2005, after teaching
music for 38 years. Marlys is active in music throughout the
community, playing in the orchestra for "Sound of Music" at the
Wilson Performing Arts Center, studying violin with Strings
Unlimited to the present day, and playing piano and singing in the
choir at the Red Oak Presbyterian Church. She is also an avid
Bridge player. Marlys and her husband, Joe, have two children,
Sarah and Derek, and 7 grandchildren. She has been employed at
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home since September 2006.
Rylee DeMarce
Funeral Assistant and Maintenance
Rylee graduated from Red Oak High School in 2004 and continued his
education at Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA, earning
several certificates in business and entrepreneurship. For 13 years, he
lived in Waukee, IA, and then Adel, IA, where he worked for Servet and
then Gilcrest-Jewett Lumber Company, both of Waukee before returning
home and assisting at the funeral home. Rylee is a certified removal
technician for the state of Iowa.
Rylee and his wife, Melissa have 3 daughters: Maddie, Rilee and Emma;
two dogs: Herbie and London and cats: Smokey and Romeo. Rylee and
Melissa are very busy attending the girl’s school and sporting activities.
Rylee DeMarce
Funeral Assistant and Maintenance
Rylee graduated from Red Oak High School in 2004 and continued his
education at Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA, earning
several certificates in business and entrepreneurship. For 13 years, he
lived in Waukee, IA, and then Adel, IA, where he worked for Servet and
then Gilcrest-Jewett Lumber Company, both of Waukee before returning
home and assisting at the funeral home. Rylee is a certified removal
technician for the state of Iowa.
Rylee and his wife, Melissa have 3 daughters: Maddie, Rilee and Emma;
two dogs: Herbie and London and cats: Smokey and Romeo. Rylee and
Melissa are very busy attending the girl’s school and sporting activities.
