Mignon Manelli

Mignon Marilyn Manelli, age 86, of Minneapolis, MN, passed away peacefully on May 3rd, 2025, in the company of her loving daughter, Mignon Justine (Finn). Mignon was born the third of four children on November 18th, 1938, in Davenport IA to parents Daniel and Mignon (Dean) Manelli. Her father, a psychiatrist and administrator at Illinois state hospitals, and her mother, an RN, raised their family in and around the Quad Cities, Manteno and Elgin, IL. From an early age she developed a deep devotion to family, friends, nature and her Catholic faith that shaped her into the incredible woman she became.

Mignon graduated high school from Villa de Chantal, Catholic girls’ school in Rock Island, IL in 1956. She began her collegiate studies at St. Xavier College in Chicago and then graduated with honors from Gonzaga University with a degree in English. After college she worked as a systems analyst for an insurance company in Chicago, where she met Howard Iber. Avid travelers, the two explored South America for six months and married in 1968. They moved to Princeton, NJ and welcomed their daughter Mignon Justine in 1971, which profoundly changed and enriched her life. The family of three traveled throughout Canada, England, mainland Europe, the Soviet Union, and Scandinavia before settling in Alleman, IA in 1975. After moving to Ames, IA, Mignon continued her systems analyst career with the agri-business, Pioneer Hi-Bred where she would cultivate decades-long friendships and ultimately retire.

She realized her new calling as “Nana” with the arrival of her granddaughter Josephine in Minneapolis in 2015. She relocated to provide care and nurturing guidance to her little “chickadee” Josie in 2016. She became a member of the Church of St. Albert the Great Catholic parish where she volunteered at the Lenten Friday night fish fry’s and become active in the Laudato Si’ Care for Creation group.

Her insatiable quest for adventure took her on a tandem glider plane flight, dogsledding in northern Minnesota, a hike to the floor of the Grand Canyon, completing a half marathon, and a hot air balloon ride. She continued her love of travel with many excursions across the US, Canada, France, Italy and Kenya. A life-long Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan, she made annual pilgrimages to South Bend in the company of her daughter, granddaughter, son-in-law and two brothers. In her downtime she cherished her New York Times crosswords (in pen), Sudokus, puzzles, walks along the Mississippi River, gardening, astronomy, photography and birding.

We’ll miss her witty sense of humor, unending thirst for knowledge, adventurous spirit, and compassionate advocacy for others and above all, her devotion to faith and family.

Mignon is survived by her daughter, Mignon Finn (Shawn) and granddaughter, Josephine of St. Paul, MN; brothers, Daniel (Peggy) of Chevy Chase, MD and Donald of Monterey, CA; nieces Carolyn, Joanne (Richard) and Lisa (Tal); nephew Daniel A. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Maryse and nephew Daniel C.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11am on Saturday, June 7th at St. Albert the Great church, 2836 33rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Visitation will be held from 5:30-8pm on Friday, June 6th at Bradshaw Funeral home, 3131 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406 and will continue on Saturday at St. Albert’s from 10am until the time of Mass. View a livestream of the Funeral Mass at https://youtube.com/live/7mkD0R947ZU. Lunch to follow at Bradshaw Funeral home. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Private burial at a later date at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to Care Harbor or the Catholic Climate Covenant.