FINK, Sally Ann (Smerud) 1956 - 2011

FINK, SMERUD, GANTENBEIN, MACK, PETERS, FEE

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 8/6/2020 at 17:20:18

La Crosse Tribune, December 23, 2011, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Sally A. Fink, 55, of New Albin, IA, died unexpectedly Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at her home in rural New Albin. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin, with Fr. John Moser officiating, Burial will be at New Albin City Cemetery, New Albin. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Community Center in New Albin, with a 3:00 p.m. scripture service. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Sally Ann Fink was born September 4, 1956 in Waukon, IA, to Edmund and Betty (Gantenbein) Smerud. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Albin and graduated from St. George Catholic High School in Lansing, IA in 1974. After graduation, she traveled west and lived in Riverton, WY for a short time before moving back to New Albin. On February 4, 1978 she married John W. Fink in Waukon, IA. For the past 20 years, Sally enjoyed working for Chartwells at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

If anyone truly exemplified living life to the fullest, it was Sally. She held interests in many different areas, and always found a way to stay busy - so much so, that she is remembered fondly for her inability to ever sit through an entire movie. She was a very active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church where she was one of the leaders of the Rosary Society. She also served on the New Albin Library Board. Sally enjoyed keeping fit with Zumba and aerobics classes, cheering on the Packers on game day, working in her garden, collecting dolls, and spending time on the Mississippi River with her loved ones. She also made sure her hidden chocolate stash was always fully stocked.

Sally's most treasured times were with family and friends, and she never hesitated to help them in any way she could. Whether babysitting her beloved grandchildren or simply having an open door and a warm plate of food for anyone who dropped by the house, her generosity was immeasurable. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready to crack a joke or share a laugh. Her loving nature and infectious positive energy will forever be missed.

Survivors include her loving husband, John of New Albin, IA; her children, John (Kathryn Ohlert) Fink of Dorchester, IA, Rebecca (Tom Gilstrap) Fink of Washburn, IA, Luke (Briana Rupel) Fink of La Crosse, WI, Molly (Mike) Peters of La Crescent, MN, and Sawyer Fink of La Crosse, WI; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; one sister, Alana (Peter) Fee of Perkins, OK; five brothers, Steven (Sue) Smerud of Riverton, WY, George (Evelyn) Smerud of Anchorage, AK, Carver (Linda) Smerud and Eddie Smerud both of New Albin, IA, and Gus (Patty) Smerud of Onalaska, WI; and her mother-in-law, Velma Mack of New Albin, IA. She is preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law Freeman Fink.

Casketbearers are Steven, George, Carver, Eddie and Gus Smerud and Rodney Fink.