Kenneth Finstad, 88, died Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Northwest Medical Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be 2 PM, Friday, March 16, 2007 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 4-7 Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Redeemer Lutheran Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Friday.

Kenneth Arnold Finstad was born June 8, 1918 at Thief River Falls, MN to Helmer and Mildred (Husby) Finstad. Ken grew up in the Highlanding and Rocksbury Township area. He attended school in Hazel, MN. He worked for various farmers before went into service.

He entered the US Army in 1941 and served his country during WWII for four years with an honorable discharge in August of 1945. He served during the battles and campaigns of Algeria-French Moraco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, and the Po Valley.

He was united in marriage to Doris Eleanor Wasley, July 18, 1945 at the Methodist Parsonage, Thief River Falls, MN. They made their home in Rocksbury Township. Ken worked road construction all over Minnesota and other states. He was a heavy equipment operator. He also had his own gravel company for a few years. They lived in Harlowton, Montana in 1963-1967. They then moved back to Thief River Falls, MN. Since 1970 Ken and Doris owned and operated his shoe repair shop for about 15 years.

Ken was an avid fisherman and hunter. He also enjoyed carpentry and building things. He loved sailing. He also enjoyed reading. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. He also belonged to the American Legion and VFW clubs of Thief River Falls, MN. He was a former member of the Thief River Sportsmans Club.

Survived by his wife Doris, Thief River Falls, MN; Terry Finstad, Tigard, OR; Karen Hammel, South St. Paul, MN; Darlene (Kenneth) Rhoden, Algonquin, IL; Wendell (Shelly) Finstad, Rock Springs, WY; Dorothy Finstad, South St. Paul, MN; 3 grandchildren: Taral Finstad, Brent Hammel, Brooks Hammel, 4 great grandchildren: Sydney, Cody, Seth, Lane Hammel; 1 sister Goldie (Howard) Lamberson, Warren, MN; 1 brother Rueben (Peggy) Finstad, Camp Douglas, WI;

Preceded in death by parents, one son Brian, 4 brothers Vernon, Lloyd, Edward, and Ferdie.

ORGANIST: Joyce Halbasch
SPECIAL MUSIC: "Somewhere My Love" SPECIAL MUSIC: Jan and Diedre Nordin
SELECTIONS: Softly and Tenderly, In the Garden
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Day by Day, Precious Lord Take My Hand
CASKETBEARERS: Robert Finstad, Dale Breiland, Kermit Malberg, Richard Hammel, Ken Rhoden, Steve Dahlen, alt: Sheldon Qually
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion and VFW Post of Thief River Falls