Shirley Jean Hilpipre

Shirley Jean Hilpipre, age 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 20, 2026. She was born on November 19, 1933, to Roy and Anna Mae (Read) Mino in Grant Township, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Elmore United Methodist Church in Elmore, with Rev. Janelle Jacobsen officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at Elmore United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore.

Jean moved to Elmore, MN, with her parents in 1944 and lived there for most of her life. Her education started at Grant Consolidated Schools and continued at Elmore Public School. She was united in marriage to Harold H. Hilpipre on July 21, 1950, and they were blessed with six children. They celebrated 63 years of countless memories together before Harold passed in 2013. Together, they started a service station and bulk oil business and proudly served the Elmore community for over 60 years.

Jean lived a life marked by kindness, generosity, strength and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Grandma Jean found great joy in her 20 grandchildren,18 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and delighted in hearing about their accomplishments. She loved spending time with her family at their cabin on Lake Jefferson and the many fishing trips she and Harold took over the years. She was an incredible cook and baker who expressed her love through baking. Always preparing her chicken macaroni salad, yummy desserts, amazing cinnamon rolls, and of course, her famous Special K bars for family gatherings or church events. Because of the warmth she shared through baking, her recipes continue on and are treasured heirlooms. She was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan but enjoyed watching all kinds of sports. She found enjoyment in meaningful conversation, playing cards, and staying connected to family and friends.

Jean was a dedicated member of the Elmore United Methodist Church. Through the years, she proudly served in many capacities, including Sunday School teacher, UMW offices and committees, in the church kitchen, and as a member of Bible studies. She enjoyed being in community, helping others and forming many lasting friendships.

After her husband’s passing, she moved to Southview Estates in Blue Earth and, most recently, to St Luke’s Lutheran Care Center. She enjoyed making new friends, spending time with old friends, playing cards, having coffee and attending chapel services.

With Jean’s departure, we remember a life lived with immense love and a constant sense of caring. She touched many lives through her 92 years, and she leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that lives on in all of us.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter-in-law Mavis (widow of Mike) of Blue Earth, MN and her children Steve (Patricia) of Maple Grove, MN Doug (Deborah) of Chicago, IL, Rick (Brittany) of Oracle, AZ, Brad (Tammy) of Blue Earth, Lorie (Kurt) Rame of New Prague, MN sister-in-laws Phyllis Rohlin of Spirit Lake, IA, Jo Ann Smith of Big Lake, MN and Barbara Wood of Big Lake, MN, 20 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, son Mike, parents Roy and Anna Mae Mino, sisters Marjorie Skaggs James, Lucille Gerberding, Marion Olson, and Jannice Bray, infant brother Elwood Mino, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Emma Hilpipre, 9 bother-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorials be made to Elmore United Methodist Church, St Luke’s Auxiliary and American Cancer Society.