Finken, Mary H. (Heller) (1929 - 2021)

FINKEN, KIRSCHBAUM, GALL, KING, HELLER, THIELEN, GUBBELS, BUCKLEY, SCHNUETTGEN, KENKEL, MARTIN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 12/12/2021 at 16:43:03

Name of deceased: Mary H. Finken (nee Heller)

Aged: 92 yrs, 2 mo, 27 days

Residence: Earling, Shelby County, IA

Born: Aug. 19, 1929; Portsmouth, Shelby County, IA

Died: Nov. 15, 2021; Earling, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021; St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Earling, IA; burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Earling, IA

Survived by: Daughters, Sharon (spouse, Bob) Kirschbaum of Sheldon, IA, Vicki (spouse, Duane) Gall of LaVista, NE, and Ann (spouse, Chuck) King of Omaha, NE; daughter-in-law, Brenda (nee Halvorsen) Finken of Apple Valley, MN; 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; siblings, Alvin Heller of Harlan, IA, Rich Heller of Portsmouth, IA, Bonnie Thielen of Denver, CO, Phil (spouse, Doramae) Heller of Portsmouth, IA, and Veral (spouse, Mary) Heller of Green Valley, AZ; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Henry Bernard and Frances Amelia (nee Gubbels) Heller; husband, Robert (deceased Sep. 10, 2018); siblings, Alvin, Elaine Buckley, Rose Ann Schnuettgen, and Darlene Kenkel; granddaughter’s spouse, Matt Martin

Education: Attended St. Mary’s Catholic School, Portsmouth, IA; graduated with the Class of 1947. After high school she attended summer school in Denison, IA

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at St Mary's Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA; was a long-time member of the Altar Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Katherine #266, Earling, IA, for 59 years.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Robert (“Bob”) Nicholas Finken; Aug. 21, 1951; St Mary's Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA

Employment: After completing her post-graduation summer school, Mary taught for 6 years at a country school house (Cass #4) near Portsmouth, IA; after Bob returned from his military service, they purchased the family business, Finken's Store, and operated it for more than 35 years.

Hobbies/Interests: After she and Bob retired, they joined a group called the Golden Aires and sang in nursing homes in the surrounding area; enjoyed singing in the choir at St Joseph’s Church; baking; playing her organ; dancing; tending to her rose garden; traveling; playing cards

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; knodfm.com; pauleyjones.com; findagrave.com