Glenn Filipi
February 15, 1937 ~ May 30, 2021
Glenn Duane Filipi died of complications of Parkinson’s disease on May 30, 2021 at Bethany on University. He was born on February 15, 1937 in Warren, MN to Gerda Vera Kulle Filipi and Daniel Henry Filipi. He grew up on the family farm near Angus, MN and attended a one room schoolhouse for eight years before transferring to Crookston AC. He was selected most valuable player in basketball and was captain of the football team as well as belonging to the National Honor Society.
Glenn graduated in 1955 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was trained as a jet mechanic and served several overseas tours of duty before being honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1958. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1962 with a BS degree in Education. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
On June 9, 1962, Glenn married Patricia Ann Borgman in Minot, ND. They moved to Fargo, ND where he taught Physical Education and Sixth Grade. Glenn and Pat had two children, David Glenn (1966) and Jane Ann (1968). He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Masters in Administration in 1967 and they moved to Barnesville, MN where he served as Principal of Florence Atkinson Elementary School until he retired in 1999. He belonged to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, The Jaycees, The Barnesville Area Clinic Board, and served as President of the Lion’s Club. He was President of the Western Division Minnesota Elementary Principals Association (MESPA) and was honored as a Distinguished Elementary Principal in 1984. He was selected for a Blandin Foundation Fellowship in 1988, and was inducted into the Barnesville High School Hall of Fame. Glenn enjoyed his years as a principal and was very proud of his time in education working with staff and students. Glenn and Pat moved to Moorhead, MN in 2000 and rejoined the First Presbyterian Church of Fargo.
Glenn was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed cross country skiing, tennis, hunting, golf, and hit a hole-in-one at the Willow Creek Golf Course on Hole #5 on September 23, 1989. He was a loyal fan of the Vikings, Twins, Gophers, Buckeyes, and UND sports teams. GO SIOUX!!!
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Donald Filipi; and sisters Donna Dailey and Gloria Strandberg.
He is survived by his wife Pat; son David Filipi (Laura Larson); daughter Jane Filipi (Keith Skeie); grandchildren Keana Skeie, Gadisse Larson, John Consorte, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, ND on Thursday, July 1st, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
Internment at the Fargo National Cemetery will follow immediately after the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley.
I am so sorry for your families loss. I loved working with Glenn at Bethany Retirement Living. He was such a kind man. We had such good talks about sports and dogs. He was very fond of my dog Kloee. I would bring her in on my days off to visit with Glenn. He will surely be missed by many. Prayers for you all of Glenns family. Take care.
Dear David, Jane and Pat. I am so truly sorry for your loss. Mr Filipi touched the list eva of so many and Barnesville will be a sadder place today. I was back two years ago when Mom passed and I just had to drive by the house. May your find strength at this difficult time. Tara Harding Robson
What a wonderful, gentle, kind man! I enjoyed working with Mr. Filipi at Atkinson Elementary in the 1970’s. He had so much respect for the children and his staff and everyone respected him. I’m so lucky to have known him. My sympathies to the family.
Sharon Hurley
Our sympathy to you Pat and your family. First Presbyterian lost another special member.
Dave, Jane, Pat, and family – I’m very sorry about your loss. I have such great memories of Mr. Filipi – as the kind leader of our school who treated everyone with respect, and most vividly (having spent many days at your house growing up) as a great father & role model. Dave, as you know your house/yard was “home field” to us for many years, and your dad was so generous and encouraging of our activities, even with all the balls banged off the house & broken branches/shrubs from the backyard football games. Despite all the activity & shenanigans, we were always welcomed back and somehow your yard always looked immaculate – which is how I remember Mr. Filipi – effectively keeping all things in order at home and at school with his easy-going style that made you feel welcome. A great man who made a lasting & very meaningful impact. With sympathy – Pat Bodine
My parental family were friends of the Dan & Vera Filipi family throughout our growing up years. It was always a happy occasion to go visit at the Filipi farm from our home in Warren. They were a generous caring family. My memories of Glen were through Luther League days. He was one of the “good guys”..friendly to all. I can imagine he was a great educator. Condolences to his family.
Our sympathy and condolences to Pat, David and Jane. Our special thanks and prayers to Pat for her years of constant care and companionship during Glens time of need. We first meet Glen at a family function in Minot. Pat’s grand parents were a valued Uncle and Aunt. During that Minot visit Glen told they were building a twin house in Moorhead. I had never heard of that type os home so Glen took his time and explained the ownership, care, etc to me. I thank him for his details because we now own 1/2 of a twin home. An educator always! Our prayers.
Mr. Filipi was my 6th grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary in Fargo in 1964. I was delighted to be in his class! He was kind and patient with my rather “wild” pre-teen group of friends. I’m sorry for your family’s great loss.
Glenn had a nickname in his younger years and that nickname was “Butch.” When I sang at his brother Don’s funeral in Warren, I called him Butch and he seemed to enjoy that a lot. We had a wonderful chat at that time. We were neighbors out in Angus, and I often brought his mother her mail on my bike. She was housebound and I enjoyed riding the gravel road to their house. They had a long driveway! Although I did not know “Butch” on a personal level, I knew of his integrity and courage. He was a man I admired. He loved life. He loved children. He was grounded in truth and modeled life’s important aspects like honesty, hard work, determination, and showing up. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.