Grant Edward Finkelson

Grant Edward Finkelson, age 22, of Ashby, Minnesota, died Thursday, November 23, 2017, at his home surrounded by family.

Grant was born July 5, 1995, in Alexandria, Minnesota to Todd and Brit (Ellingson) Finkelson. He graduated from Ashby High School in 2013, participating in band, choir, musicals, and Knowledge Bowl. Grant was a winner of the Geography Bee, a very talented artist, and wise beyond his years in subjects that went above and beyond textbooks.

He then attended McNally Smith College of Music 2013-2014 to study music professionally.
After which he attended Alexandria Technical and Community College 2014-2016 to study nursing. Grant lived in Ashby and worked at his family’s store, T&B’s Shortstop, and The City Restaurant, embedding himself as a key piece and role model of the Ashby community.

Grant was a patriarch of the family, big brother to little cousins/little brother to big cousins and all had unique nicknames for him: Granster, Eddie, Grantee, Granters, Finkelstine, Franklin. Every person who knew him loved him instantly and forever. He was an avid collector of knowledge and shared his opinions and political beliefs passionately with everyone he met by exchanging facts, stories, books and thoughts. He was instrumental in the success of T&B’s. He joked he had three jobs, T&B’s, Club 74, and Vincent’s Chauffer.

He was a self-taught skateboarder and guitar player, excelling in both. He loved the outdoors, picking mushrooms in the spring and hunting deer in the fall. He had recently started bike-riding and had completed his first MS Tram this summer with his mother. Grant protected those that he loved with compassion and empathy. He wanted the best for those in his life.

He was preceded in death by his baby sister, Opal Finkelson; Uncle Dean Ellingson; Grandfather James Ellingson; and Grandmother Cathe Finkelson.

He survived by his parents, Todd and Brit; brothers, Vincent and Milton; and sister, Olive. On his mother’s side, his Grandmother Lois Ellingson, Aunt Lori (Michael) Risbrudt, Uncle Bruce (Julie) Ellingson, Aunt Kari (David) Oxford, and cousins Kelsey, Dylan, Drew and Sawyer Risbrudt, Elise, Ava and Harrison Oxford. On his father’s side, his Grandfather Elroy Finkelson, Uncle Scott (Joy) Finkelson, Uncle Tyler (Becca) Finkelson, Aunt Jolene (Wyatt) Johnson, Uncle Joel (Melissa) Finkelson, and cousins, Anthony Grienke, Hannah and Connor Finkelson, Grace and Gavin Popp, Emme Finkelson, Rylie, Brooklynn and Camryn Johnson, Natalie Homan and Soren Finkelson; as well as great-aunts, great-uncles and numerous family and friends.

Blessed be the memory of Grant Edward Finkelson.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Zion- Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church, Dalton, and resuming one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church, Dalton
Clergy: Reverend Mark Johnson
Interment: Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Dalton
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls