Blanche Helen Filter

Blanche Filter, age 89, of Canby and formerly of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Sanford Health – Sylvan Court Nursing Home in Canby, Minnesota. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 9, 2022, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will then continue, again at the funeral home, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Blanche Helen Garrow was born November 27, 1933, to Wilfred and Della (Lee) Garrow on the family farm near Ivanhoe, Minnesota. Her family moved into Ivanhoe before then moving to Marshall when Blanche was nine years old. She was baptized, received first communion, and was confirmed in the Catholic Faith. Blanche attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and then the Marshall High School. Blanche worked for the Atlantic Hotel Café and Marshall Produce and then in 1950, Blanche was introduced to the love of her life, Lawrence “Larry” Filter, Sr.

On April 4, 1952, Blanche was united in marriage to Lawrence. The young couple moved around but eventually made their way back to Marshall, where they raised their family. Blanche found work at the Swift Turkey Plant for many years before working as a bartender for the Legion Club during her retirement. Blanche and Larry spent over 68 years of marriage together prior to his death in 2020.

Blanche was strong-willed, determined, and full of life. She was a fantastic grandmother and very protective of her children, well into adulthood. She was always looking to have a good time, which often involved dancing, reading, cooking, embroidery, or hunting to add to her collection of salt and pepper shakers (which now totals over 4,000). Blanche thrived on her many strong friendships gained over the years.

Blanche Filter died on Saturday, December 3, 2022, in Canby, Minnesota, just 6 days after her 89th birthday. Blessed be her memory.

Blanche is survived by her 5 children, Bonita (and Mark) Meyer of Alexandria, Lawrence (and Michelle) Filter of Fulda, Lee Ann (and Tony Theisen) Buysse of Marshall, Douglas (and Kemper Albert) Filter of Rockford, Hope (and Jesse) Christianson of Ghent; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Filter of Chaska; 22 grandchildren, Jonathan (and Laura) Filter, Joey Filter, Steven (and Jenny) St. Aubin Jr., Travis (and Amy) St. Aubin, Jamie Hurly, Ryan (and Sheena) St. Aubin, Hilary (and Wade) Buchert, Andrea (and Corey) Babcock, Corey (and Mandy) Danderrand, Nathanial (and Audrey) Filter, Ashley Madrigal, Jalen Madrigal (and Lee Washington), Phillip Madrigal, Angie Maggsruckes, Chelsey Madrigal, Joshua (and Kelli) Buysse, Melissa (and Kevin) DeBaere, Heather (and Walker) Werpy, Ashley (and Byron) Vierk, Aubrie (and Timmy) Bendtsen, Caitlyn (and Scott) Martin, Samuel Albert, Desirae Filter (Zach Bump), Marissa Christianson (Josh Esping); 37 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; 2 sisters, Charolette (and Donald) Kindt, Cecilia Sanow; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Filter, Sr.; children, Jerry Filter, Monica Roberson; granddaughter, Jackie Filter; parents, Wilfred and Della Garrow; and 11 siblings, Edna, Alice, Edith, Alma, Francis, Joe, Mary Ann, Grace, Ruth, Ruby, Gladis, and Victoria.