Jon William Gilfillan

ST. JAMES - Jon W. Gilfillan, age 83, of St. James, MN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.

A Celebration of Life service will be held for Jon at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church - Galena Township (2325 120th Ave, Ormsby, MN 56162). The service will be recorded and available afterward on Jon’s obituary page. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Jon will be laid to rest at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jon’s name to the Watonwan Humane Society (PO Box 5, St. James, MN 56081).

Jon was born on May 19, 1942, to Morris and Clover (Hutchings) Gilfillan in Hopkins, MN. He graduated from Hopkins High School with the class of 1961, and later graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Jon was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn Flohrs, on July 7, 1971. Over the years, they lived in Hopkins and Chanhassen until they moved to Long Lake in 2003.

Jon was a very creative person, gifted with an artist’s eye and a limitless imagination. He could look up at the clouds and see a million different things, finding beauty where others might not think to look. Some of his greatest joys came from simple moments, watching sunrises and sunsets over the lake, observing birds and butterflies, and enjoying the quiet passing of boats on the water.

Jon was incredibly handy and seemed able to pick up any skill in no time at all. He loved to tinker with old cars and restored many Oldsmobiles over the years. During his time living in the Cities, he was actively involved in car clubs and proudly served as both President and Vice President of the Minnesota Oldsmobile Club. He took great pride in his vehicles, keeping them clean, polished, and shining, and he especially enjoyed attending car shows and sharing his passion with others.

Art was a constant throughout Jon’s life. He will be remembered for his artistic spirit, his skilled hands, and the joy he found in both grand projects and quiet moments. He enjoyed painting and drawing and created beautiful Tiffany-style lamps, sculptures, and detailed wood plaques featuring the Minnesota Vikings and Vince Lombardi. His talent also left a lasting mark on the community, including a piece titled “Togetherness” created for the St. James Mayo H ospital donor wall, as well as another displayed in the county courthouse meeting room.

Jon will forever be remembered by his loving wife of 54 years, Marilyn; daughter, Skye Hagenstein (fiance, Bryan); grandchildren, Joe (Alicia) LaHood, Erica LaHood, Summer (Zach) Babcock; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Kim Wells; mother-in-law, Lucille Flohrs; brothers-in-law, Richard (Linda) Flohrs and Allen (Gayle) Flohrs; nieces and nephews, Paris (Vicki) Wells, Shawn Wells, Bill Gilfillan, Michael Gilfillan Jr., Amber (Josh) Haseley, Michael (special friend, Sarah) Flohrs, Natalie (Wayne) Woolley, Tory (Delcy) Flohrs, and Tyler (Emily) Flohrs; special friends, Leigh Hunstad and Sanford Hansen; and other relatives and friends.

Jon was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Bursch; infant son; parents, Morris and Clover (Hutchings) Gilfillan; brother, Michael Gilfillan; father-in-law, Vernon Flohrs; and brother-in-law, Jack Wells.