Louis "Louie" James Filippi

Jody Hane2021-03-15T21:16:48-05:00

Name: Louis "Louie" James Filippi
Location of Birth: Keewatin, Minnesota
Date of Birth: March 1, 1920
Date of Death: February 12, 2012 (91 years old)
Parents: Pietro and Giovina Filippi
High School and Class: Keewatin High School, Keewatin, Minnesota
College: 1939 - 1943 - St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Highest Rank: LTJG (Lieutenant Junior Grade)
Branch: Navy
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Military Highlights:
Louie proudly served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy until 1946.

Wars Involved:
World War II

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Civilian Life:
Louie was a Keewatin, Minnesota native. He grew up in and loved the Iron Range.

After high school, Louie moved to St. Cloud, Minnesota where he attended St. Cloud State University from 1939 to 1943. He was named Little All-American in football, St. Cloud State's first student ever to achieve this status. In 1941, he was named Most Valuable Player in the conference. He was not only a gifted football player, but he also played basketball, baseball, and ran hurdles in track.

In addition to earning his degree in education, he earned 14 varsity letters during his college career. Upon graduation, Louie was offered a contract to play football for the Philadelphia Eagles, which he declined due to his military service.

After his military service, he began his career in education when he joined the teaching and coaching staff in Little Falls, Minnesota, where he taught industrial education for 39 years.

He found joy and fulfillment working with children and was named Minnesota Industrial Arts Teacher of the Year in 1973. His love of sports didn't end at college. Louie managed and coached the Little Falls Red Sox Amateur Baseball team in the last 1940s and 1950s, refereed state basketball tournaments and was a Big Ten Basketball Conference referee for 11 years.

Later, Louie was the first inductee in the Keewatin High School, the Little Falls High School and the St. Cloud State University Athletic Halls of Fame. Louie's interests reached far beyond sports.

Louie received numerous service awards for his contributions, which include Minnesota Power and Light Private Enterprise Award, Little Falls VFW Auxiliary Award for Youth Commitment, Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award and the Initial Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds Award.

As a committed community member, Louie was a member of the VFW, American Legion, 40 & 8, Moose Lodge, Member of the Governor's Council of Aging, Jaycees, Morrison County DFL chairman, Child Welfare chairman and various teaching organizations.

It is no secret that Louie had a passion for hunting and fishing. He loved to spend time at the boxcar hunting and being with nature, which he did well into his 80s. Too, he was an avid fisherman who spent hours on the lake, summer or winter, rain or shine. When Louie retired from hunting and fishing, he waited anxiously for one of his boys to call him with the hunting or fishing report.

In 1962, Louie married Mary Jean Kaiser. Together, they resided in Little Falls for the duration of their marriage, where they raised their six children. Louie was a devout Catholic, who belonged to St. Mary's Church, and a strong family man who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren immensely.

Remembering him as a loving husband, father, and grandfather are his wife of 49 years, Mary Jean; children Mary Jo (Tommy), Peter (Tammy), Larry (Tammy), John (Sarah), Michael (special friend Heather), and Mario; and nine grandchildren.

Louie passed away at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minnesota and is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery at Little Falls, Minnesota.

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