Finken, Stephen Charles (1945 - 2025)

FINKEN, SCHMITZ, PRUITT, HENSCHEID, DOTZLER, JENSEN, FROMM

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/10/2025 at 16:31:03

Name of deceased: Stephen Charles Finken

Aged: 79 yrs, 4 mo, 7 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: Aug. 28, 1945; location not provided

Died: Jan. 4, 2025; location not provided

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025; St. Michael's Catholic Church,
Harlan, IA

Survived by: Wife of 55 years, Sharon Finken of Harlan, IA; children, Julie (spouse, Travis) Schmitz of Omaha, NE, and John (spouse, Lindsey) Finken of Pella, IA; grandchildren, Delaney, Grant, Claire, Ryan, Brooklyn, Reese, Ellie; siblings, Alan (spouse, Donnelle) Finken of Littleton, CO, Richard Finken of Harlan, IA, Dave Finken of Omaha, NE, Jean (spouse, Alex) Pruitt of Spencer, IA, Joan (spouse, Jim) Henscheid of West Des Moines, IA, and Pete (spouse, Kara) Finken of Simsbury, CT; sisters-in-law, Jackie Finken of Woodbridge, VA, Patricia Dotzler, Los Angeles, CA, and Pam (spouse, Mike) Jensen, Hot Springs Village, AR; brother-in-law, Dick (spouse, Maryalyce) Dotzler, Harlan, IA; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Charles and Edna (nee Fromm) Finken; brothers, John, Paul, and Mark

Education: Graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Earling, IA; he continued his education at Creighton University, Omaha, NE, and graduated in 1968

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Military service: After his graduation from college, Steve joined the U. S. Marine Corps to pursue a love for country and aviation. He served our country from 1968 – 1973. Throughout his time in the Marine Corps, he flew several aircraft including the A-4 and C-130 in support of Vietnam War operations.

Marriage: Sharon Dotzler; July 1968; St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Harlan, IA

Employment: After serving in the U. S. Marine Corps, he continued his love for flying with Delta Airlines for 30 years.

Hobbies/Interests: His hobbies included operating the Finken Family Tree Farm, gardening, woodworking, flying, fishing, golfing, hiking, and backpacking. He took his family on many adventures in his airplane, traveling throughout the states. Steve found joy working on the farm and being with his family. Mostly, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Sources: pauleyjones.com