Gordon Fillipi

Dr. Gordon M. Fillipi, 69, Grand Forks, ND passed away and joined his loving wife, Shirley in heaven on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Gordon was born in Warren, MN on October 17, 1940 to Henry and Grace (Ovsak) Fillipi. He was the older of two boys. He was raised on a farm near Tabor, MN then moved to Grand Forks to attend college at the University of North Dakota. Gordon served as laboratory supervisor of the sanatorium at Nopeming, MN near Duluth. He later continued his education and graduated with a PHD from the University of North Dakota. He worked as a microbiologist in the hospital laboratories of St. Michael's Hospital, United Hospital and Altru Hospital where he retired in 1997 as director of the pathology lab. Gordon married Shirley Mae Hedlund on February 27, 1960 in Tabor, MN. Together they raised their five children, Greg, Steve, Tom, Jim and Suzanne. Shirley Fillipi died November 30, 2007 from heart surgery complications. Gordon suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for several years and had been living in Valley Memorial Home Woodside Village since 2006. Survivors include his sons, Greg (Bita) of Moses Lake, WA, Steve (Shelly) of Aurora, CO, Tom (Patty) of Farmington, MN, Jim (Lori) of Bemidji, MN; daughter, Suzanne (Brad) Berry, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Nicole, Austin, Sydney, Ashley, Preston, Brianna, Brooke, Bauer, Chase and Aiden; great granddaughter, Christine; brother, Scott (Lorna) of Warren, MN and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Gordon was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley, an infant son, his parents and in-laws, Johannes and Amy Hedlund.