Laura Jean Pepper

Laura Jean Pepper, 66, passed away unexpectedly with her husband Bob by her side, on April 7, 2026 in the home they shared in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Her death followed a short convalescence after a surgery. She was born to Malcolm and Margaret MacFarlane on March 1, 1960. She grew up in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area and graduated from Eden Prairie High School. After earning her Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, she began working in the credit department at Valspar in Minneapolis. Her career eventually took her to Tisco/Woods in Roseville where she was a credit manager. She retired from Tisco/Woods in 2020.
Laura had emotional depth, discerning intelligence and a charmingly dry sense of humor. She supported other women's achievements in finance and the C-suite, and met a few women who would go on to become long-term friends.
A member of First Presbyterian Church of White Bear Lake, she participated for over 10 years in the November event to craft blankets for people experiencing homelessness. A long-time quiltmaker, she was active in the church's sewing group for over 6 years, where she collaborated on countless colorful quilts. She contributed her financial skills and wisdom as the treasurer of The Foundation at First Presbyterian Church of White Bear Lake for 3 years.
Laura cultivated a sincere appreciation for nature and ecology, seeds planted in her childhood. A true Pisces, she enjoyed being on and around water, touring gardens and historic places, nurturing native plants in a special shade garden, and closely observing birds going about their business. She brought nature indoors with her Great Danes and Australian Shepherds. With her favorite traveling companion, her husband Bob, she explored the upper Midwest's historic towns and quaint hotels while delighting in new varieties of flora and fauna. Her love of nature extended to Art Deco design and Georgia O'Keefe's resonant paintings of flowers. 
Laura was an empathetic and giving person who loved people with a sustaining warmth. She demonstrated her love through committedly living her values, and often emphasized that the best gift she could ever receive was time with her dearest family and friends. 
Laura is survived by her husband, Robert; her brothers Gordon (Lisa) MacFarlane and Bruce (Rosemary) MacFarlane; her children Elysia (Scot) Nielsen, Lucinda Pepper (Austin Beatty), and Zachary Pepper (Jamie); her nephews Ian MacFarlane (Abby), Colin Hilton-MacFarlane (Houston), and Andrew MacFarlane; her grandchildren Breanna Castillo (Jesse Wilcox) and Gabriel Nielsen; and her great-grandchildren Aria Wilcox and Oliver Pepper. She was preceded in death by her father Malcolm and her mother Margaret MacFarlane.
Memorial Service 11AM Friday, April 24, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church, 4821 Bloom Ave. with visitation 1 hour prior.