Dorine Finseth

Dorine Luverne (Smith) Finseth, 87, went to be with the Lord on Friday, July 23, 2010 at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. She was a longtime resident of Underwood, MN, and moved to Fergus Falls in 2002 to live with her son, Bjorn, and in December of 2009 moved to Park Gardens in Fergus Falls. Dorine was born August 2, 1922 in Nielsville, Minnesota, to Dorothy Smith and Martin Lingstad. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Nielsville. She attended schools in Nielsville and Climax, graduating from Climax High School in 1941. On August 2, 1941, she married Erling Finseth of Underwood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After Erling’s discharge from military service in 1945, they returned to Underwood and spent the next 57 years raising their family while active in many church and community affairs. She worked at both the JC Penney’s and Norby’s department stores in Fergus Falls during the 60’s and 70’s until Erling’s retirement in 1977. Their retirement years were spent traveling to Florida, Texas, Montana, Oregon and Hawaii. She loved her family, fishing with Erling, and was an avid gardener, seamstress, baker, and cook, and a feisty pinochle player. She also served in her church as youth leader and Sunday school teacher.  Her gift of hospitality was incomparable. There was always room for one or more at her table, uninvited or last minute, it did not matter. No one ever left her home hungry or feeling unwelcome. In 1984, she and Erling became charter members of Lord Jesus Fellowship Church, now known as Hilltop Celebration Church. She was active in many Bible study groups and her passion for others to know the Lord motivated her to give away countless books and tracts. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ was the strength of her life. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Erling (March 15, 2002), one son, Allen (July 28, 2001), a grandson, Kraig Larson (March 17, 1992), a brother Clifford, and a sister, Alice Steen. Survivors include her children, Judy (Ken) Nygard of Woodburn, OR, Loren (Lorna) of Minneapolis, Warren (Cheri) of Underwood, Bjorn (Barbara) of Fergus Falls, and Eric (Rita) of Underwood, 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Dorine will forever be remembered for her unconditional love of family and friends, and her generous hospitality to all who crossed her path. Visitation: Thursday 5 to 7 p.m. with a 6:30 prayer service at Olson Funeral Home and visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Friday, July 30, 2010, at Hilltop Celebration Church, Fergus Falls Clergy:  Rev. Dan Mueller Burial: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis on Monday, August 2, 2010 at 12 p.m. Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice or the Hilltop Celebration Church Building Fund.