In Loving Memory
Robert "Bob" Finnegan
February 28, 1927 - August 15, 2022

PARISH VIGIL SERVICE
Friday, August 19, 2022
3:45 P.M.
Holy Family Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ruthven, Iowa

VISITATION
Friday, August 19, 2022
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Holy Family Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ruthven, Iowa

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, August 20, 2022
10:30 A.M.
Holy Family Parish - Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Ruthven, Iowa

CELEBRANT
Rev. Bill Schreiber

INTERMENT
Calvary Cemetery
Ruthven, Iowa

George Robert Finnegan, son of George and Ruth (Meyers) Finnegan, was born February 28, 1927 near Emmetsburg, Iowa.  Bob was the oldest of fifteen living children.  He began his education in Rodman and Ayrshire and then attended Ruthven Community School, where he graduated from Ruthven High School in 1944.  Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and was inducted on April 17, 1945.  He served aboard the U.S.S. Sigourney, a destroyer.  After being honorably discharged on August 9, 1946, Bob returned to Ruthven where he was employed at Miller's auto dealership.  Bob attended Loras College for a short time before returning to Ruthven to help care for his family.

On June 24, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Ellowene "Ellie" Thompson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ruthven.  They were blessed with seven children.

Bob purchased an insurance agency in February 1954.  He also owned and operated a retail store known as Bob's Sundries for fourteen years.  In August 1969, Bob sold his insurance agency to the Ruthven State Bank and was employed at the bank as a banker, insurance agent and real estate broker for many years.  Bob also farmed and had livestock throughout his working years.  He drove school bus for thirteen years and served as a volunteer fireman.

Bob was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and had served as church director.  He was also a devoted member of the American Legion Post #33 in Ruthven, serving as finance officer and commander.

Bob loved sports and was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers and the St. Louis Cardinals.  He enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends.  Bob had a big garden each summer and sold his produce at the Farmer's Market in Spencer.

Bob was always ready to help out in any way he could.  His siblings and their families were very important to Bob and if someone needed a place to stay, they were welcome to join Bob and Ellie's family for as long as they needed.

Bob passed away Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Ruthven Community Care Center, at the age of 95.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Finnegan; his wife, Ellie; his siblings and their spouses, Philip in infancy, Tom (Alice) Finnegan, (Margie Finnegan),  (Doris Finnegan), (Sis Finnegan), Ken Finnegan, Jim Finnegan, (Edwin Smith), Albert (Cecelia) Finnegan, Dan Finnegan and (Jane Finnegan); and a son-in-law, Philip Bender.

He is survived by his children, Kathleen "Katie" (Jim) Brown of Mapleton, Iowa, Kim (Valerie) Finnegan of St. Louis, Missouri, Mary (Dr. Chas) Kubasko of Raleigh, North Carolina, Terry (Debbie) Finnegan of Pekin, Illinois, Angela "Angie" Noecker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeanette "Jenny" Spence of Columbia, Missouri and Molly Bender of Ankeny, Iowa; twenty two grandchildren, Casey Brown, Kyle Brown, Alex Brown, Darren Brown, Kimberly Finnegan, Zachary Finnegan, Michael Finnegan, Kelly Finnegan, Christin Snyder, Braxton Kubasko, Isaac Finnegan, Hannah Finnegan, Curtis Hames, Morgan Aldeman, Austin Hames, Hallie Noecker, Haldan Noecker, Payton Spence, Shea Spence, Jamie Bender, Rhett Bender and Reggie Bender; thirty great grandchildren; siblings, Dave Finnegan of St. James, Minnesota, Pat Finnegan of Muskegon, Michigan, Mike Finnegan of Iowa City, Iowa, Rosanne (Max) Girres of Grundy Center, Iowa, (Nancy Finnegan) of Bellevue, Nebraska, Mary Smith of West Des Moines, Iowa, Raymond (Patricia) Finnegan of Omaha, Nebraska, (Janet Finnegan) of Storm Lake, Iowa, Roger (Darlene) Finnegan of Eldridge, Iowa,  Dennis Finnegan of Omaha, Nebraska,   and Frances (Dennis) Anderson of Bennington, Nebraska; many nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home