Robert Finken
February 17, 1929 — September 10, 2018
Robert Nicholas Finken, son of Matilda (Heese) and John Finken, was born February 17, 1929 in Earling, Iowa. Bob was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School where he graduated with the class of 1947. After high school, Bob attended trade school in Chicago, Illinois for six months. Bob then returned to Earling where he worked for his brother Charles as an electrician for four years.
On April 26, 1951, Bob was inducted into the United States Army where he served his country during the Korean War. While home on leave, Bob was united in marriage to Mary Heller, daughter of Henry and Frances Heller of Portsmouth, Iowa on August 21, 1951. Bob was then sent to Korea on active duty for over 18 months where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Campaign Stars, the Army Occupation Medal (Japan) and the United Nations Service Medal. Bob served his country until his honorable discharge on April 2, 1953 at Camp Carson in Colorado achieving the rank of Corporal.
When Bob returned to Earling, he and Mary purchased and operated the family business, Finken's Store, for over 35 years. While married, they were blessed with four children: Sharon, Michael, Vicki and Ann. Bob was very active in community affairs and belonged to several organizations including a lifetime member of the American Legion Post No. 615 of Earling where he served as adjutant commander and finance officer for over 30 years [delete this part]. He was also a long-time member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post No. 941 of Shelby County. The Knight's of Columbus organization was very near and dear to Bob as he was a lifetime and very active member of the Knight's of Columbus Council 1471 of Earling and the Luke E. Hart Assembly and he also served as the Grand Knight for the Golden Jubilee in 1963. He was a member of the Business Men's Club where he served as president and received the Business Man of the Year award. He was also a volunteer of the Earling Fire and Rescue, Scout Master, and an officer of the Parish Council.
Bob will always be remembered as having a great sense of humor; always considered himself a positive thinker and loved his wife and family dearly. He also enjoyed having coffee with his friends every morning, playing cards, golfing and telling jokes.
Bob died on September 10, 2018 at the Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months and twenty-four days. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son Michael Finken; brothers: Charles and Jack Finken and his sister Mariella Kramer.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Mary Finken of Earling, Iowa; his daughters: Sharon and her husband Bob Kirschbaum of Sheldon, Iowa; Vicki and her husband Duane Gall of LaVista, Nebraska and Ann and her husband Chuck King of Omaha, Nebraska; his daughter-in-law Brenda (Halvorsen) Finken of Apple Valley, Minnesota; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
On April 26, 1951, Bob was inducted into the United States Army where he served his country during the Korean War. While home on leave, Bob was united in marriage to Mary Heller, daughter of Henry and Frances Heller of Portsmouth, Iowa on August 21, 1951. Bob was then sent to Korea on active duty for over 18 months where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Campaign Stars, the Army Occupation Medal (Japan) and the United Nations Service Medal. Bob served his country until his honorable discharge on April 2, 1953 at Camp Carson in Colorado achieving the rank of Corporal.
When Bob returned to Earling, he and Mary purchased and operated the family business, Finken's Store, for over 35 years. While married, they were blessed with four children: Sharon, Michael, Vicki and Ann. Bob was very active in community affairs and belonged to several organizations including a lifetime member of the American Legion Post No. 615 of Earling where he served as adjutant commander and finance officer for over 30 years [delete this part]. He was also a long-time member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post No. 941 of Shelby County. The Knight's of Columbus organization was very near and dear to Bob as he was a lifetime and very active member of the Knight's of Columbus Council 1471 of Earling and the Luke E. Hart Assembly and he also served as the Grand Knight for the Golden Jubilee in 1963. He was a member of the Business Men's Club where he served as president and received the Business Man of the Year award. He was also a volunteer of the Earling Fire and Rescue, Scout Master, and an officer of the Parish Council.
Bob will always be remembered as having a great sense of humor; always considered himself a positive thinker and loved his wife and family dearly. He also enjoyed having coffee with his friends every morning, playing cards, golfing and telling jokes.
Bob died on September 10, 2018 at the Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa having attained the age of eighty-nine years, six months and twenty-four days. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his son Michael Finken; brothers: Charles and Jack Finken and his sister Mariella Kramer.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Mary Finken of Earling, Iowa; his daughters: Sharon and her husband Bob Kirschbaum of Sheldon, Iowa; Vicki and her husband Duane Gall of LaVista, Nebraska and Ann and her husband Chuck King of Omaha, Nebraska; his daughter-in-law Brenda (Halvorsen) Finken of Apple Valley, Minnesota; thirteen grandchildren; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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