Age 38

Inver Grove Heights, MN

Lissa passed away peacefully at her home on January 20, 2024, surrounded by her family.  At a very early age, Lissa developed a unique ability to develop and nurture strong friendships that she carried through to all phases of her life – often being the common thread bringing others together. First with teammates of the various sports teams that she excelled on through high school as well as with other classmates at Simley High School, and then while at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, her talent for developing long-lasting friendships was unmatched.  After graduating college, she began her career with the City of Inver Grove Heights where she used her sense of humor and outgoing personality to serve the residents of Inver Grove Heights and develop genuine, caring relationships with co-workers not often found in the workplace.  Her greatest relationships were formed with her family – first as a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin, and then as a loving wife, mother, and aunt.  She enjoyed nothing more than being a mom to her children, Henry (8) and Charlotte (6) and passing on to them so many of her best qualities.

Lissa was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Phyllis Smyth and Thomas and Margaret Blum; uncle and aunt, Thomas and Judy Blum, and uncle Dan Machacek.  She is survived by her husband, Brett; children, Henry and Charlotte; parents, Barb and Tim Biljan and Terry Blum and Mary Bang; sister, Megan Blum; nephew and niece, Easton and Beckett; best friend Danielle Fox, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends, and extended family.  Although her time on Earth was shorter than anyone hoped or planned, she lived a full life with a positive impact on so many that will carry on for lifetimes over.

A gathering is planned from 12:00pm-3:00pm on Thursday, January 25th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Avenue in Inver Grove Heights followed by a Celebration of Life from 4:30pm-7:00pm at The Croatian Hall, 445 2nd Avenue S. in South St. Paul.  There will be a private internment at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the in-home care team at Our Lady of Peace Hospice – especially her nurse, Suzanne, which through their support allowed Lissa to remain in her home comfortably surrounded by family and friends during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to Lissa’s Legacy fund or to Our Lady of Peace Hospice.