Richard Lee FINDERS

FINDERS, LARGE, GREIMAN, ROTHS, TOMANINI, STEELE, SPICER, FLAGLER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/17/2010 at 12:04:20

KLEMME — Richard L. “Dick” Finders, age 77, a resident of Klemme, most recently of the Westview Care Center, Britt, died Friday (Feb. 9, 2007) at the Westview Care Center in Britt. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 E. Main St., Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman will be officiating. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the time of the service today at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will be held at the Resthaven Park Cemetery, Glendale, Ariz., later in the week along with additional services in Arizona.

Richard Lee “Dick” Finders, the son of Carl and Helen (Large) Finders, was born Nov. 23, 1929, at Ferguson, Iowa. In the early years of his life, his family moved to Klemme, where he attended Klemme schools. Richard attended Klemme High School and graduated with the class of 1948. During his early adult years, Dick was employed with the Klemme Creamery and drove a milk truck, delivering the creamery’s products throughout the region. He was also employed for periods of time at Northern Lumber, Doc Anderson Veterinary, drove school bus, helped area farmers and drove truck. On Oct. 12, 1948, Richard entered into military service as a member of the United States Army. He spent a portion of his military tenure in Germany, along with various other places during his nearly four years of duty to his country. On Feb. 14, 1952, Dick was honorably discharged as a sergeant first class.

Upon returning to civilian life he was united in marriage to Donna Greiman. This union was blessed with three daughters, LeiAnn, Karen, and Melissa. Richard was employed for a time in the airline industry in California. He later became employed in the lumber industry, where he assumed many different managerial, technical assistant positions, leadership capacities, and various support roles. Much of his focus was on market development, start-ups, stability, and restructuring of the various companies he had worked for in the industry. Though he was a relatively quiet and reserved man, he truly enjoyed the times and journeys that life laid in his pathways. Dick was very proud of his German heritage and relished the opportunity to share this heritage with family and friends. He was a man who loved to have one-on-one conversations, as well as sharing stories of his life with those in his presence. His recollection of the places he had been and the people he had met was excellent. His knowledge of the American Indians, their artifacts, and their cultures was vast. He was a person who looked forward to investigating and researching into the subject of the day, whether it was determining the species of a plant, flower, animal, or bird. Richard was an avid fisherman. Those who knew him well would often cross trails with him on his way home from the completion of a successful fishing excursion long before they commenced their own days. A successful and enjoyable day for Richard over the last many years would include casting a fishing line or two in an area lake or river, or maybe just spending time exploring where the area fishing hot spots were. He also enjoyed gardening and was an expert at growing tomatoes. Dick also had a keen ability at the task of cooking.

Richard enjoyed times spent with his wife, Donna, and his daughters and their families. He loved to travel and explore the many places his journeys took him. Following his wife’s passing, he became re-acquainted with his present companion, Helen Roths, who was also widowed and someone he had known during his years in Klemme. During their years together they shared many mutual loves and interests. They spent much of they year in Camp Verde, Ariz., and returned to Klemme for a few months at a time. The couple shared Richard’s interest in taking journeys on life’s back roads. Taking the rugged mountain roads and back country roads brought great joy and excitement to Richard and Helen’s lives as they explored the great outdoors and all it’s wonders. In addition to times spent with his and Donna’s own children and their families, Richard enjoyed times spent with Helen’s children and their kids, Hunter, Tyler, Laura, Sarah, Zach, Miake, Erin and Little Kelsey, often taking them on fishing trips around the area. They, too, will miss Dick’s warm smile, friendly conversations, inviting and intriguing stories of life, and his compassion and affection for those around him. All who knew him will reflect back upon his patriotism and remember the special time he had traveling to South Carolina for a military reunion. Richard’s gentleness, friendly personality, and the twinkle in his eye will bring fond memories.

Those who will cherish the memory of his life include his daughters, LeiAnn Tomanini, Phoenix, Ariz., Karen (Craig) Steele, Dewey, Ariz., and Melissa (Darren) Spicer, Gardnerville, Nev.; brothers, Don (Elaine) Finders, Lake Havasu, Ariz. and Jerry Finders, Gardnerville, Nev.; sister-in-law, Nellie Flagler; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and cousins; also his companion, Helen Roths, Klemme, and her children and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; and a sister-in-law. Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme.

Mason City Globe Gazette
February 11, 2007