Age 81 of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Passed away surrounded by family and loved ones a week after her 81st birthday, on Friday, December 27^th, 2024, after battling cancer for eight months.

Esther is survived by her husband, Alan Filiau, and their fur baby, Duke; their children, Alan Michael Filiau and his wife, Karen Filiau, Scott Filiau and his wife, Jonna Filiau, Mark Filiau and his fiancé, Gayle Londo, Laura Tolley and her husband, Rob Tolley, and Timothy Filiau; grandchildren, Kaitlynn Olds, Davy Bonfiglio, Gracie Filiau, Audrey Filiau, Victoria Filiau, and Mikey Filiau; brother, Richard Sperry and his family.

Esther met her husband, Alan Filiau, while both were in the Navy, and married four months after the day they met. They lived a beautiful and wonderful 60 years together, enjoying belonging to both Eastern Star and Danish Lodge. Esther was a one of a kind gem and brightened rooms where ever she went while putting smiles on everyone’s faces who had the pleasure of meeting her. She is missed dearly especially during the holidays, with Christmas being her favorite.

Eastern Star Service 11:00 am Saturday, January 4^th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, with visitation 1-hour prior.  Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

Age 78

Passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 28, 2024, after a battle with cancer.

Barbara was born on September 20, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Michael and Rose Mauro.

She had a love of birds, and her family.

Barbara retired from a lifelong service in Corrections. Her passion was to treat others no matter the circumstances with love; and working at The Minnesota Dept. of Corrections in Stillwater, MN, fulfilled her service.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Brown Jr; daughter, Michele Marie Sebastiano; and son, Michael Joseph Sebastiano.

She is survived by brother, Gary Mauro; daughters, Lisa Gerten (Joe), Cheryse Brown, Jessica Charles (Dominique); daughter-in-law, Fiona Sebastiano; grandchildren, Jeremy (Rachell) Hank, Jacob, Joshua, Adriana, Mariah, Kendra, Alexis, Michael Jr, Guliahna, Giovanni, Giuseppe, Giadá; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, and their families.

Barbara will be especially remembered for her devotion to family.

Memorial Service 10:00 am Friday, January 3^rd, 2025 at River Heights Vineyard Church, 6070 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN with visitation 1-hour prior at church.  Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 59 of Eagan

Received her heavenly wings on December 17th, 2024. Preceded in death by father, Richard; brother, Robert; sister, Lynn; brother-in-law, Michael Somes. Survived by loving mother, Jane; siblings, Joan Somes, Carol (Aubrey) Schroeder, Deb, (Bob) Griffith, Tom, & Ken; nieces and nephews, Erin, Patrick, Lauren and Ryan; also many other family and friends. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held in the springtime.

Age 93 of St. Paul

Passed away on December 4, 2024 surrounded by her adoring family. Born July 1, 1931 to Eugene and Therese Le Claire, Joan attended St. Francis de Sales School in St. Paul and was a graduate of Monroe High School. On September 8, 1951, she married Jerome (Jerry) Mandel. The two cherished a 66-year marriage before his death in 2018.

Joan’s life was filled with family, friends and faith. She raised seven children and doted lovingly on her 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren until the day she passed. A loyal parishioner of the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul, Joan served faithfully and eagerly as a volunteer at the Church of Assumption and the Dorothy Day Shelter. What little free time her busy family life afforded her was filled with golf, downhill skiing, playing bridge and cooking—although there was rarely a recipe in sight. She followed many of Minnesota’s sports teams and enjoyed countless Hallmark movies. Joan was an engaging conversationalist and possessed an uncanny ability to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Joan and Jerry loved to travel and passed that love on to their children through family road trips across the country. They vacationed internationally, as well as traveling to each of the 50 states.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Donald, Jeanne and Robert; her soulmate Jerry; and her humble and loving son James (Jim). She is survived by her children: Jodell Vidas, Jerome, Jr. (LuAnn), daughter-in-law Phyllis, Mary Walker (Chris), Mark (Keely), Gregory (Andrea), and Christopher (Jennifer); her grandchildren: Julie, Brian, Ashley, Andrew, Alexander, Lindsay, Michael, Laura, Mitchell, Michaela, Grace, Benjamin, Henry, Jack and Oliver; and her great-grandchildren: Katherine, Owen, Lauren, Addison, Blair, Isla, Sloane, Spencer, Wes, Lincoln, Lilah, Joseph, Raymond, Maxwell, Bodhi, Isaac and Joanie.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Saturday, February 15^th, at the Church of the Assumption, 51 W. 7^th St., St. Paul. Visitation 10:00-11:00 am prior to Mass at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to the Church of the Assumption (51 7th Street West, St. Paul) or the charity of your choice.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23:5-6

Age 72 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away on December 12, 2024.

Preceded in death by parents, Lyle & Evelyn; wife, Fawn; brother, Terry; sister-in-law, Patti; niece, Julie and beloved dog, Bear.

Survived by brother, Ken (Betty); nieces and nephews, Debbie, Jeff, Kim and Dan; and first wife, Sharon and many loving family members and countless friends, many of them can be found at Applebee’s in Inver Grove Heights.

A service is scheduled on Sunday, February 16th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. – 12:00 visitation, 12:30 service, 1:15 lunch at the church to follow.

Age 70 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on December 9, 2024. Preceded in death by parents, Richard & Joyce Covelski; brother, Donald Covelski. Survived by daughter, Christina (Troy) Sumner; grandchildren, West, Brittany (Luke), Breanna, Naomi (Devin), Emma & Ian; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Nancy Hills, Sharon (Leonard) Guerrero, Danny & David (Marie) Covelski; also other family and friends.

Lora loved to spend time with her family and friends.  She was so proud of her yard and flowers.

Private family services will be held and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Age 87 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 7, 2024.

Preceded in death by daughter, Jennifer Jenniges; parents; 6 brothers & sisters.

Survived by loving wife of 65 years, Barbara; children, Linda (Bob) Anderson, Mark (Brenda), Alice (Steve) Scherbel & Matthew (Christie); 15 grandchildren, Luke Jenniges, Natalie (Dan) Lotts, Nick Jenniges, Nate (Justine) Anderson, Jayna (Adam) Wilcox, Greta Anderson, Cecilia (Rick) Denzer, Isaac Scherbel, Sarah (Nick) Schweich, John (Mia) Frid, Sam (Taylor) Frid, Teddy (Emma) Frid, Henry, Owen & Libby Frid; 12 great-grandchildren, Lydia, Elijah, Claire, Gabriel, Louie, Lucy, Van, Ralph, Valley, Leland, Isla, Jovie & 2 on the way; also other family & friends.

Bill had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, fish, play cards, spend time with his grandchildren and to just be outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Thursday, December 19th, at Church of St. John Vianney, 840 19th Ave. N., South St. Paul. Visitation 9:00 -11:00 am prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.

Age 91.

Born August 15, 1933. Left this earth December 8^th, 2024. She was loved by many. Beloved sister, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt & friend.

Wilma is preceded in death by parents, Maynard & Mary Heffern; brothers, Marvin, Robert & Randall; children, Roxine & Robin; granddaughter, Sarah.

Survived by brother, Herb (Beverly) Heffern, children, Rick (Julie) Rieken, Rolly Rieken, Renea Kidd, Rachelle (Juan) Contreras & Reggie (Terri) Rieken; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and her Southside Baptist Church family where she spent many years.

Funeral Service 11:00 am Saturday, December 21^st, at Southside Baptist Church 5613 S. Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10:00 – 11:00 am prior to the service at church. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

Age 88 of South St. Paul

Passed away on December 5, 2024. Preceded in death by wife, Mary Jane; step son-in-law, Leonard Werner. Survived by brother, Patrick (Kim); sister, Candice (Dave) Bryant; step children, Nancy (Michael) Morris, Sandra Werner, Cheryl Werner; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; also other family and friends.

Tom loved to visit and spend time with his family and friends.  His life was an inspiration we will carry with us.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Monday, December 16^th, at Church of The Holy Trinity, 749 6th Avenue South, South St. Paul, MN 55075. Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials preferred to Smile Train.