Dean Finseth

On Sunday, Oct. 13, Dean Finseth, of Chatfield, was greeted by God's heavenly angels and bound for the glory of meeting his Maker face to face. A servant on this earth for 86 years, death wasn't the end of life for Dean, but just the beginning of his life eternal. Dean, and his twin brother Dale, were born on July 13, 1927, to Ida and Justin Finseth of rural Fountain. He attended the one-room rural Bornass School near Fountain through the eighth grade. As was not unusual at the time, his father wanted him home to help with farming until he enlisted in the Army at age 18. Together, Dean and Dale served overseas in Japan shortly after WWII for one-and-a-half years. Upon returning to Minnesota, Dean enrolled at Dunwoody Technical Institute to study heating and cooling systems. The love of a good dance presented the opportunity for Dean to meet his dancing partner for life, Carol Holger. They married on March 7, 1954, at Chatfield Lutheran Church. Dean and Carol started farming and shortly thereafter along came their greatest joys: Chris, Jon and Karen. They all pitched in to run a profitable, well-managed and tidy farm operation, 7 miles southeast of Chatfield. With the wheels always spinning in Dean's head, he owned and operated the Finseth Refrigeration and Dairy Equipment business in Fountain. He was a hard worker who completed service calls even if it meant leaving the Christmas dinner table and a plate full of lutefisk. Integrity, a strong work ethic, creativity and working with his hands were key characteristics of Dean. But, there was a place for play in Dean's life, including flying a single engine plane and co-founding the Fillmore County Flying club, building a pontoon boat for a family float on the Mississippi River, playing the accordion, summer road trip vacations, traveling to six continents, building a backyard solar panel heating and heat recovery system, the Lion's Club, exploring with his motor home, always tinkering, and a good joke or two. Dean was a proud and stubborn Norwegian. He also had a deep-rooted faith. Baptized at home near Root Prairie Lutheran Church and a longtime member of Chatfield Lutheran Church, Dean strove to live a Christian life. Dean was preceded in death by parents, Ida and Justin; brothers, Justin, Donald and Merle; sisters, Edith, Mavis, and Doris. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Carol, of 59 years; sons, Chris (Lynnae), Jon (Jean); daughter, Karen ( David Parks); grandchildren, Tor, Lisbet and Kaylee; and his beloved feline buddy, Sammy; brothers, Arnold (Elizabeth) of Medesto, California, Dale (Beverly) of Fountain, Orvis of Chatfield; and many nieces and nephews. The Family would like to thank the caregivers at Chosen Valley Care Center, prayers and support members of Chatfield Lutheran congregation, Chatfield Emergency Services and the caregivers at Saint Marys Hospital over the past few days. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Chatfield Lutheran Church, followed by interment at the Chatfield Cemetery. Viewing will be at from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield. www.rileyfuneralhomes.com; 507-867-4310.