Myrtle Finkelson

Myrtle Corrine Finkelson, 87, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Friday, October 2, 2009 at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND.  Myrtle was born on August 4, 1922, in Aastad Township, the daughter of Ole and Hulda (Ness) Bergerud. She attended School District 119 (Bergerud School). As a young woman, she worked in Ashby for the restaurant and also worked for Enoch Evavold. In the early 1940’s, during World War II, she moved to Portland, Oregon, working as a welder in the shipyards. On September 5, 1943, she married Gordon Orvin Finkelson in Battle Lake, while on Furlough. After their marriage, Gordon returned to the army and Myrtle resumed her work in Portland. In 1945, upon Gordon’s discharge, the couple resided in Fergus Falls, where she worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Lukes Hospital. In 1947, the family moved to Eagle Lake Township to the Finkelson homeplace. In 1957, they moved to Fergus Falls, residing here since. She retired as a food service supervisor at Lake Region Hospital after twenty four years. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and its Ladies Aid. Myrtle was a past president of the VFW Post 612 Auxiliary and the Drill Team. Her hobbies included baking and cooking, and being a member of the Country Quilters, she was an avid quilter. Preceding her in death were her husband, who died in 1989; her parents; an infant son, Michael Gordon; her brother, Morris; five sisters, Signe Bergerud, Gunda Sumstad, Olive Demmer, Evelyn Hanson and Hazel Claunch and a grandson, Chad Martinson. Survivors include a daughter, Patricia (Rick) Wirth of Detroit Lakes; a son, Dale Finkelson of Lincoln, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Melissa (Joff) Kuznia, and Anna and Anders Finkelson; five great-grandchildren, Allyson, Tate, Brandon, Kiah and Jacob and one sister, Elaine H. Olson of Fergus Falls. Visitation: 5-7 pm Friday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 10:30 am Saturday, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls Clergy: Reverend Marv Abrahamson Burial: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Fergus Falls Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls. Memorials are preferred to Lake Region Cancer Care and Research Center, 712 S. Cascade, Fergus Falls.