Obituary of Pearl Sylvia Filipovich

Pearl Sylvia Filipovich, 91, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Pearl (Helmi) was born May 30, 1924 in Cherry Minn., to Oscar and Emma Nurmi. Pearl grew up on the family farm; she was the youngest of four sisters. Both Finnish and English was spoken and Pearl remained bilingual throughout her life. Growing-up on the Iron Range during the Great Depression was no picnic, but she had fond memories of her youth especially with visitors being greeted with coffee and biscuits and lively conversation. She worked summers at the People's Cafe in Virginia for $1 per day. Pearl was valedictorian of Cherry High School class of 1942. Many classmates remained lifelong friends. Pearl married John Filipovich of rural Eveleth on Dec. 5, 1942. Shortly thereafter, John joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in San Diego where Pearl became an airplane wing riveter. John was deployed to Europe in World War II, Pearl remained in the States. After the war, they settled in Proctor (Midway Park) and raised four kids, Robert, Frances, Glen, and Steven. Pearl was involved with organizing the Midway Park Community Club. She felt a strong need to curb injustice and worked to elect leaders that would promote the common good. Along with her husband, Pearl became friends with many local leaders as well as Governor Rudy and Lola Perpich and Senator Paul and Sheila Wellstone, who made a point to visit Pearl, John and Frances often. Governor Perpich appointed Pearl to serve on the Duluth State Convention Center Administrative Board to oversee the expansion of the Duluth DECC. She was a budget watchdog, questioning if costs were justified. Minneapolis Star reporter RT Rybak featured Pearl in a full page article about her role on the Governor's appointed Board to pick a site for the Minneapolis convention center. Pearl and John were long time members of the Unitarian Church in Duluth. In the mid-1980's Pearl, John and daughter Frances moved from Midway to the family farm near Twig. Here she greeted visitors with food, coffee, pastries and more food, and of course lively conversation. This move was a full circle back to living close to nature on the farm. John passed on Jan. 25, 2007. Pearl and Frances continued to live at the farm until the summer of 2012. Pearl moved to son's Steven (Becky) home in Duluth until her passing. Pearl left the world a better place and epitomized the Greatest Generation. Kiitos Pearl! Preceded in death by her parents; sisters Toyne Loukes/Love, Katherine Breimon, Aini Roy, and husband John of 64 years. Pearl is survived by son Robert (Marylis); grandchildren Karen and Jennifer; son Glen (Debra), grandchildren Jake and Zack; son Steven (Becky), grandchildren Eric and Scott; daughter Frances and six great-grandchildren. VISITATION: 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 30, in First Memorial Funeral Chapel 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth. Services entrusted to First Memorial Funeral Chapel 218-624-5050