In Loving Memory
Ellie Finnegan

VISITATION
Thursday, December 8, 2016
3:00 - 5:15 P.M. & 6:15 - 8:00 P.M.
Sacred Heart Fellowship Hall
Ruthven, Iowa

PARISH VIGIL SERVICE
Thursday, December 8, 2016
6:30 P.M.
Sacred Heart Fellowship Hall
Ruthven, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, December 9, 2016
10:30 A.M.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CONCELEBRANTS
Rev. Clem Currans
Rev. Richard Ries
Rev. Peter Nguyen

INTERMENT
Calvary Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

Ellowene Fern Finnegan, daughter of Merton and Corrinne "Gram" (Miles) Thompson, was born July 13, 1931 on a farm north of Ruthven. She received her education in Ruthven, graduating from Ruthven Community School in 1950.

On June 24, 1950 Ellie was united in marriage to Robert Finnegan at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven. To this union seven children were born. Ellie and Bob were blessed with sixty six years of marriage.

Ellie was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, caring for her family. She loved to entertain and have people in her home. She enjoyed baking and cooking and opened her home graciously to others. In 1975 Ellie became an L.P.N. and was employed at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg for over twenty years.

She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America and Guild. Ellie taught Catechism for six years and served as church organist for seventeen years, playing for many church events and funerals. Ellie's family referred to her as a "Prayer Warrior" due to the fact she prayed for anyone and everyone, friends and total strangers, people traveling or those who were sick. She had notes all around the house with names of individuals she prayed for.

Ellie was a member of Ruthven American Legion Auxiliary and had served on the Highland Cemetery Board and Low Rent Housing Board. Ellie also served on the Ruthven Community Care Center Board.

Ellie enjoyed watching Notre Dame and Iowa Hawkeyes football games. She also enjoyed Hawkeye and Villanova basketball games. She was a St. Louis Cardinal fan and looked forward to watching any of the Ruthven community teams play sports. Ellie loved her flower gardens and caring for them.

Ellie will certainly be remembered for her contagious smile and loving spirit. She was a kind and giving individual, always willing to help family and friends.

Ellie passed away Monday, December 5, 2016 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Mervin and Lyle Thompson; and son-in-law, Phil Bender.

She is survived by her husband, Robert of Ruthven, Iowa; her children, Kathleen "Katie" Brown (James) of Oto, Iowa, Kim Finnegan (Valerie) of St. Louis, Missouri, Mary Kubasko (Dr. Chas) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Terry Finnegan (Debbie) of Pekin, Illinois, Angela "Angie" Noecker of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Jeanette "Jenny" Spence of Columbia, Missouri and Molly Bender of Ankeny, Iowa; twenty two grandchildren; ten great grandchildren, Ella Brown, George Robert Brown, Ashley Brown, Garrett Brown, Arthur Brown, Brynn Aldeman, Madison Hames, Berklee Noecker, Nellie Spence, and Maclin Spence; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home