Funeral Service for Irvin Martin Finnesand, 86 and his wife, Evelyn Luella Finnesand, 94, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Marcia Peterson and Soloist will be Pat Schubert. Pallbearers will be Evan Finnesand, Dane Finnesand, Richard Finnesand, Clay Finnesand, Rusty Guy, Zach Guy, Billy Alexander, Jared Alexander, and Dylan Alexander. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jennifer Finnesand, Ashlee Finnesand, Crystal Finnesand, Courtney Mussetter, Ashley Holman, Victoria Gomarko, Chelsea Alexander, Delaney Alexander, Tyrell Guy, Kyle Finnesand, Caden Finnesand, Ashley Mussetter, Isabelle Guy, Brooklyn Holman and Brodie Holman. Interment will be in the Zion Menighed Cemetery, Rural Sisseton, SD. There will be military rites by the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50 and Fort Sisseton V.F.W. Post #3342. There will be visitation on Friday, November 28, 2008 from noon to 7:00 P.M. at Cahill Funeral Chapel and Saturday, one hour prior to services at the Church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Irvin Martin Finnesand was born on June 27, 1922 in Sisseton, SD to Mandius and Arlie (Johnson) Finnesand. He graduated from Sisseton High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Army on May 1st of 1946 and was honorably discharged in September 28, 1947. He received the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal Japan. Irvin was united in marriage to Evelyn Luella Lekness on September 17, 1948 in Sisseton, SD. He worked for various area farmers. He also worked for Sisseton Livestock Auction for 28 years. He farmed and milked cows for many years near Sisseton, SD. He served on various township boards and was a school board member for Hart #3 country school. He was a life time member of Grace Lutheran Church. Irvin was a member of the Otto-Quande-Renville American Legion Post #50. He enjoyed old-time music and gardening. He loved being outdoors. Irvin passed away on November 23, 2008 at Meritcare Hospital, Fargo, ND.
Evelyn Luella Lekness was born on July 20, 1914 to Carl and Julia (Chilson) Lekness in Roberts County, SD. Evelyn attended school at Goodwill #2. Evelyn worked for various families and at the Kittleson hotel prior to her marriage to Irvin. Following their marriage she worked at Dakotah, Inc. for many years. Evelyn was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD. She liked to play solitaire and garden. Evelyn passed away on November 25, 2008 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD.
Evelyn and Irvin are survived by five children, Arnold (Delores) Finnesand of Sisseton, SD, Harlan Finnesand of Custer, SD, Calvin (Elizabeth) Finnesand of Peever, SD, Brenda (Dan) Gomarko of Veblen, SD and Sandra ( William) Alexander of Hamel, MN; seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Irvin is survived by two brothers, Howard (Elsie) Finnesand of Sisseton, SD and Iver (Darlene) Finnesand of Groton, SD; three sisters, Ruth (Warren) Mogenson of Rapid City, SD, and Thelma (Sherman) Pickthorn of Watertown, SD and Arlet Schaunaman of Sisseton, SD; one brother-in-law Marshall (Bud) Fenske of Rapid City, SD, two sister-in-laws, Agnes Finnesand of Sisseton, SD and Bethel Schwagerl of Presho, SD.
Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Kenneth, Selmer, Leo, Alvin, Harvey and one sister, Bernice Fenske.
Evelyn is survived by one brother, Lloyd (Myra) Lekness of Kirkland, WA.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Irvin; three sisters, Ruby Lekness, Bernice Olauson, and Myrtle Rolstad; three brothers, Charles Lekness, Lawrence Lekness and Ervin Lekness and two half-sisters Agnes Erager and Ollie
Haugen.