Cleo L. Deplazes

Cleo L. Wood Deplazes, 100 of Devils Lake formerly of Warwick ND passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital surrounded by her precious family.

Cleo Lorraine, daughter of John P. and Tillie (Mikkelsen) Tibke was born in a sod house in Elgin ND.  The family made their home in Elgin until the early 1930’s when they moved to Warwick as it was getting impossible to find hay to feed the cattle in the Elgin area. 

Cleo married Jeremiah R. “Jerry” Wood on February 27, 1943 in Seattle WA. Jerry had moved out there to find work, and when he was gainfully employed, Cleo’s parents were pleased to let Cleo take the train out there to be united in marriage. They established their home on the farm at Warwick until 1957 when they moved to Devils Lake. Cleo always helped on the farm; herding cattle by horseback and driving the tractor, doing all those farm chores that needed to be done. Jerry died on July 10, 1975. 

Cleo was blessed to find love again and married Paul N. Deplazes on October 24, 1980. They enjoyed many years of retirement together. They enjoyed taking care of their yard and bountiful garden, (both were weedless), camping throughout North Dakota and several other states, and visiting their children and grandchildren. There were especially fond of Medora in the summer and would spend winter months traveling to Wyoming, Nevada, New Mexico and Lake Havasu visiting family and friends. Paul died on April 3, 2006. 

Everyone knew where to find Cleo every Thursday. She was getting her hair done and then playing cards at the Elks. She was frequently a hunting partner to Paul, especially when hunting grouse and pheasant. 

Cleo was an active member of Warwick Lutheran Church and later St. Olaf Lutheran Church and their WELCA’s, the Highway 20 Birthday Club and enjoyed membership in the Elks. 

Though Cleo may no longer walk beside us, her spirit will be with us always. She was a treasured gift from God and blessing to us all. 

Cleo is survived by a loving family of children Diane Engebretson, Devils Lake, Terrance “Terry” (Judy) Wood, Otsego MN, Clayton (Adele) Wood, Mandan ND and Robbin (Dena) Wood, International Falls MN; thirteen grandchildren and  twenty-six   great grandchildren  Jared McKinnon (Sarah Olek), Darin McKinnon, Bryan Engebretson and great grandchildren Carter, Grant, Jackson and Pierce; Jennifer (Nicholas) Hopper and great grandchildren Alicia and Sophie, Benjamin Wood, Gregory (Tam) Wood and great grandchildren Ryan, Samantha, Lisa and James, Kimberly (Mayur) Shintre and great grandchild Reidun; Russ (Kari) Wood and great grandchildren Rayna, Trista, Evelyn and Wesley, Jeremy (Jeri) Wood and great grandchildren Jack, Claire and Gus, Kathy (Alan) Smith and great grandchildren Easton and Annika; Jeremiah (Becca) Wood and great grandchildren Page, Keon and Colton, Zachary Wood, Megan (Jason) Nygaard and great grandchildren Aaliyah, Emily and Gunnar; treasured family of Paul Deplazes: his children Mike (Glenda) Deplazes, Nola (Dan) Dahlen, Dave (Kathy) Deplazes; step grandchildren Mike (Nellie) Deplazes Jr., Ann (Matt) Pollert; Chris Dahlen, Michelle (Cullen) Nelson; Derrick Fournier, Nikkie Jo Massmann and Lana Barone; many step great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and their families. 

She was preceded in death by her husbands Jerry Wood and Paul Deplazes, granddaughter Toni, brothers Edward and Elmer Tibke; sisters Delores Tibke and Elizabeth Kranich.