Katie Zupan

Kathleen Marie Zupan, 59, of North St Paul, MN passed away on December 9 th , 2025, after a three-year battle with MBC.

Katie was born on March 15, 1966, to Jim and Patti Nelson in St Paul, MN. Katie grew up in White Bear Lake, attended Hill Murray High school, and upon graduating, attended The University of Wisconsin River Falls, later receiving her master's in education from the U of M. Katie met, and then married Mike Zupan, "the boy next door" in 1990. They went on to have their son, Sam, and daughter, Jordyn, and raised them in North St Paul. Katie was an educator and took a job teaching second grade at Deerwood Elementary in 1990, where she taught for three years. She then transferred to Glacier Hills Elementary where she taught second graders until she became sick in 2023. Katie loved spending her free time with family and her circle of loving friends. She was a compassionate and amazing teacher as evidenced by the large number of her students who later in their lives invited her to their special events and graduations. Katie had a fierce love for animals, including her beloved dogs, Sadie, Dazie, and Archie. She once rescued a duckling that was stranded in the middle of the freeway, nursing him back to health for two weeks before releasing him back to the wild. Katie exuded love and selflessness to everyone who knew her, and has touched countless lives with her unforgettable smile, contagious laugh, and bubbly personality. She will be missed immensely.

Katie is survived by her husband of 35 years, Mike Zupan of North St Paul, MN; son Sam (Sharelle) Zupan; and grandson, Tyler of Wyoming, MN; daughter, Jordyn Zupan (Joe Raymond) of Stillwater, MN; mother, Patti Nelson of Maplewood, MN; sisters, Shellie (Tom) Manke of St Paul, MN and Jen Matuska (Dave Zupan) of White Bear Lake, MN; and bonus brothers, Terry Butler and Phil Holm. She was preceded in death by her father, James Nelson; father- in-law, Mladen Zupan; and mother-in-law, Jeanine Zupan.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12 PM NOON, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Church of St. Peters, 2600 Margaret St. N, North Saint Paul, MN with visitation beginning at 11 AM at the church. A celebration of her life will be held the night prior from 4-8 PM on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.