Manuel "Manny" Umpierre, Jr.

Manuel “Manny” Umpierre Jr., of Esko, MN, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026. Manny was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where he loved his carefree island life — fishing, eating mangoes, and listening to the singing frogs. He moved with his family to New York City at the age of 17 and joined the Air Force shortly after. During his military service, he was stationed in Japan and Korea and ended his time in the military in the tiny town of Wadena, Minnesota. It was there that he met the love of his life, Sharon, whom he convinced to marry him after ordering hundreds of mugs of root beer from the A&W restaurant where she worked as a carhop.

Manny and Sharon were married in 1958 and moved to New York City, where they started their family. After seven years in New York, they returned to Minnesota, eventually settling in Esko in 1966, where Manny became a successful life insurance agent. In 1995, Manny and Sharon opened Verndale Custom Homes of the North and Advanced Energy Supply, which they ran until they retired.

Manny loved meeting people and turning them into lifelong friends. People were drawn to his animated, energetic charm. He reveled in storytelling, was fiercely loyal to his family and friends, and loved deep and spirited conversations. He would sometimes argue even when he agreed. Above all, Manny was devoted to Sharon and to the family they built together, and he took great pride in watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Marie Luisa (Andujar) Umpierre; sisters Elisa Marrero, Aida Vera, and Mieta Salcedo; and son Kenneth William Umpierre.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sharon (Rude) Umpierre of Esko, MN; brother Luis Umpierre of Orcutt, CA; sister Celia (Milton) Sanchez of Lindenhurst, NY; son Manuel (Susan) Umpierre of Eaton, OH; son Richard Umpierre of Esko, MN; daughter Elisa (Sara) Umpierre of Cornucopia, WI; daughter-in-law Carrie Umpierre of Hermantown, MN; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Manny will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet, MN. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m.