On May 8 ^th , 2022, Larry Levi Finley Sr., age 71, of Watertown, SD, passed away at Avantara Care Center, Watertown, SD.

Memorial Services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at Lake Traverse District Center, Browns Valley, MN with Fr. Charles Chan officiating. There will be a Wake Service on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at Lake Traverse District Center. Inurnment will be at St. John's Episcopal Cemetery, Browns Valley, MN.Urn Bearer will be LaDonna Runnels and Honorary Urn Bearers will be all of Larry['s grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Larry was born on January 23, 1951 to Raymond Finley and Marion Blacksmith-Johnson in Sisseton, SD. He spent his years growing up in the Spring Grove Township and attended various rural schools. As a youth, he was an acolyte at St. John's Episcopal Church, where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Wilmot High School in 1969. Following high school, he moved to Los Angeles, CA, to attend trade school for auto mechanics.In 1968 he met Faith "Faye" DuMarce and after he returned back from trade school, they welcomed their first daughter, Lynel. He and Faith were married on April 8 ^th , 1970, in Sisseton SD. They moved back to Los Angeles, where he finished his training in 9 months. After completing his training, they came back to the Sisseton area where he worked for Kenny and Marvel Burshiem. In 1971, they welcomed their 2 ^nd daughter Melanie. Together, they were relocated to Denver, CO and lived there for several years. In 1976, they moved back home. He spent more years working as a mechanic for Don Gill and later on for Vic's Auto. In 1978, Larry and Faye welcomed their son, Larry Jr. In 1984, Larry moved to the Watertown area and continued to work for various companies's including Dakota Poultry and Dakota Sioux Casino. In 1994, his baby girl Marette was born. Larry enjoyed rock and country music and loved to dance. He played softball and often batted grounders and pop fly's to his grandchildren. He liked working with cars, and long cruises on the back roads. He was fluent in Dakota language. He was uplifting and hilarious at times. He was funny and liked to poke fun; he enjoyed socializing with his family.

He is survived by his friend and mother of his children, Faye of Sisseton SD; three daughters: Lynel (Daris Runnels) of Watertown SD, Melanie of Sisseton SD, and Marette of Watertown SD; one son Larry Jr. (Lona), of Sisseton SD; one step-son Troy DuMarce Sr. of Sisseton SD; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Raymond Finley Jr., Doug Blacksmith, Lorenzo Blacksmith, and Jacob Blacksmith; one sister Dorothy Finley; one step-son Bradley DuMarce; and one granddaughter Deidra Lufkins.