Paula Jean (Heard) LaPanta died unexpectedly on Dec. 25, 2009. 
Paula was born July 24, 1951 in Austin to Merle and Eileen Heard. 
She was united in marriage on June 19, 1976 to Terry Lapanta in Minneapolis. Paula worked at US Bank for more than 30 years and was a volunteer at the Humane Society. Everyone who knew her loved her dearly. She will be tremendously missed. 
She was preceded in death by three brothers and her parents. 
She is survived by her husband, Terry; son, Tony (Amanda) LaPanta, daughter, Lisa Lapanta, granddaughter,  Laura, all of South St. Paul, Minn.; siblings,  Kay Heard, St. Paul, Minn., Rick (Jackie) Heard, Rapid City, S.D., Darol (Sandy) Heard, Austin,  Suz (Pete) Gill, Eden Prairie, Minn., Scott (Suzanne) Heard, Minneapolis, Sheila(Tracy) Harrington, Austin; also many nieces and nephews.  There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Please make donations to the Humane Society of Minnesota in lieu of flowers.