Rita Finken
May 22, 1938 — September 26, 2023
Rita Theresa Finken, daughter of August and Mary (Kaufmann) Hastert, was born on May 22, 1938, in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, where she also attended school at St. Mary’s Catholic School.
On August 27, 1957, Rita was united in marriage to William “Bill” Finken at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. Five children were born to this union: Janet, Dave, Mary Jo, Diane, and Bill. Rita was a hard worker her whole life, she worked in the cafeteria at Myrtue Medical Center for over 24 years.
Along with sharing her sweet smile, Rita also loved to bake and share her baked goods with family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
Rita passed away peacefully on September 26, 2023, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-five years, four months, and four days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill Finken, son-in-law Larry Koester, and her siblings George Hastert, Christopher Hastert, Jacob Hastert, Joseph Hastert, Alice Esser, Pete Hastert, and Anna Rueschenberg.
She is survived by her children Janet Koester of Harlan, Iowa; Dave Finken and his wife Jill of Waverly, Nebraska; Mary Jo and her husband Glenn Hopper of Olathe, Kansas; Diane and her husband Neil Hansen of Harlan, Iowa; Bill Finken and his wife Paula of Carroll, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
On August 27, 1957, Rita was united in marriage to William “Bill” Finken at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. Five children were born to this union: Janet, Dave, Mary Jo, Diane, and Bill. Rita was a hard worker her whole life, she worked in the cafeteria at Myrtue Medical Center for over 24 years.
Along with sharing her sweet smile, Rita also loved to bake and share her baked goods with family and friends. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
Rita passed away peacefully on September 26, 2023, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, attaining the age of eighty-five years, four months, and four days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill Finken, son-in-law Larry Koester, and her siblings George Hastert, Christopher Hastert, Jacob Hastert, Joseph Hastert, Alice Esser, Pete Hastert, and Anna Rueschenberg.
She is survived by her children Janet Koester of Harlan, Iowa; Dave Finken and his wife Jill of Waverly, Nebraska; Mary Jo and her husband Glenn Hopper of Olathe, Kansas; Diane and her husband Neil Hansen of Harlan, Iowa; Bill Finken and his wife Paula of Carroll, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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