LeRoy Finken

LeRoy A. "Fritz" Finken Sr., age 82 of St. Rosa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 7 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Dan Walz officiating. Interment will be after lunch at Bearhead Union Cemetery near Swanville. Military honors will be by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

LeRoy August Finken Sr. was born March 18, 1936 in Freeport, Minnesota to Robert and Loretta (Stueve) Finken. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on January 31, 1955 and served until 1959. On February 11, 1956, he married Grace Hanson in Mason City, Iowa. After their marriage, they lived in the Twin Cities and Alexandria where LeRoy worked various jobs. They settled in St. Rosa, where he owned and operated St. Rosa Garage for many years before owning and operating Roofing Specialty in St. Rosa.

LeRoy was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, St. Rosa Lions Club, Monsignor Lorsung Council #14616 Knights of Columbus of Grey Eagle and Swanville and the Melrose American Legion Post 101. He enjoyed traveling in his Winnebago, camping, going to the casino, was an avid deer hunter, and most of all, enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and taking care of his wife, Grace.

Survivors include his wife, Grace Finken of St. Rosa; children, Allen Finken of St. Rosa, LeRoy Jr. (Betty "Sis") Finken of St. Rosa, Brien (Therese) Finken of St. Rosa, Marven (Kim) Finken of Freeport, Troy (Brenda) Finken of Montrose, and Gena (Brent) Parish of St. Rosa; 29 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; brother, Wilfred "Wif" (Bernette) Finken of Melrose; sisters, Mary Engelmeyer of Melrose, Dorothy Austing of Freeport, and Donna Bueckers of St. Rosa.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; son, Keven Finken; sister-in-law, Alice Finken; brothers-in-law, Roger Engelmeyer, Richard Austing, and Eugene Bueckers.

Serving as casket bearers will be Troy Finken, Adam Finken, Josh Finken, Marven Finken, Jared Finken, and Brandon Parish. Cross bearer will be Bryce Parish and scripture bearer will be Brady Parish. Lectors will be Tina Boe and Justina Boe. Gift bearers will be Haiden Finken and Kailey Finken.