My stepfather passed away with will. one heir died. Can home be sold and des eased share held in trust pending mini probate process?

If there is a house which is not in a trust, you are not facing a "mini probate." You must do a full probate. Once letters are issued to an executor, the executor can sell the house. That procedure can be fairly simple or quite complex depending on whether the executor is able to administer under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA) or not. All funds, not just the funds for the deceased beneficiary's share, must be held by the executor in an estate account until all bills have been paid, at least four months have passed since the beginning of probate, and a judge has approved the petition for final distribution.