Florence Nancy Finney, proud mother and grandmother, died on Friday, May 30, 2008 at the Mahnomen Health Center where she had resided for the past four and a half years. She was 97 years old.

Florence was born on August 7, 1910 to Henry and Lena (Roelofs) Wibbels, in Kandiyohi County near Prinsburg, MN. As a young child she moved with her family to the Bejou, MN area. Florence attended Bejou grade school and went on to graduate from Mahnomen High School.

Florence was united in marriage to Edward Finney on August 16, 1936 in Thief River Falls, MN. Together with great determination (true grit) along with hard work, they made farming their life long occupation. They farmed in the Bejou area for a number of years before moving to Beaulieu Township where they lived for 60 years. During their years together the Finney's gave of themselves by providing a loving home to a number of needy children.

Florence was a member of the Bethel Assembly Church in Fosston, MN, where she had been involved for many years. Her faith played a very large role in her life. Florence was a servant at heart and reached out to family and friends with love and helping hands.

In addition to working on the farm, she also worked at several local business places. She enjoyed being a 4-H leader for several years and was also the Beaulieu Township Secretary. She belonged to a hobby club for many years and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tatting, beading, ceramics and various other hobbies. Florence felt she wasn't hospitable if she couldn't give you a cup of coffee and a treat. Playing her organ, piano or accordion and singing gospel music gave her great pleasure.

Florence is survived by her daughters, LaVerne (Don) Hendrickson of Mesa, AZ and Paulette (Keith) Day of Elgin, IL; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her sisters, Dena and Lilly; brothers Dick, Garret, Joe, Harvey and Edgar; her parents and one grandchild.

Funeral services will be Thursday June 5, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the Bethel Assembly Church, Fosston, MN. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a family service at 6:30 p.m. at the Anderson Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen, MN.

Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery at Mahnomen.