John Allen Finke of Rochester (formerly of Cherry Grove) passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at age 94. A funeral will be held Sunday, April 27, 1 p.m., at Cherry Grove United Methodist Church. Pastor Mark Rader will officiate, and Phil Hebrink will deliver a eulogy. Visitation will begin at noon with interment immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Cherry Grove Cemetery Association, 308 N. Park Ct., Spring Valley, MN 55975.
John was born Friday, May 30, 1930, in the home of his parents Raymond and Jessie (Hebrink) Finke just west of Cherry Grove. He joined siblings Russell, Kenneth, and Thelma (Terry), with Paul and Beth arriving in later years. His childhood was busy with farming, helping at the family sawmill, fishing before school, and sports. John enjoyed playing basketball and baseball at Wykoff High School. He excelled at baseball and continued playing sports by playing fast-pitch softball into adulthood. His first date was at age 10 when he and Bernis Hoopman walked to the store for a candy bar, and before he turned 21, she was his bride on November 19, 1950.
As a young man, John worked for a year in Waterloo, Iowa, and returned to farm with his father. He then farmed in Dexter and with Sam Bigalk near Harmony. John found his professional calling as a rural electric lineman. During his career at Tri-County Electric, he assisted in the organization of the union, met lifelong friends from all over southeast Minnesota, and furthered his supportive nature of serving his fellow man. The children were raised with an expected protocol of behavior with a “trouble call” and understood the challenges that their dad encountered. John shared stories of a storm where the ice was so thick he and his partner had to physically push the truck down the road. On another call, they had to stop to remove a tree that blocked the roadway only to find the bridge was washed out on the other side.
The Finkes moved to Lewiston in 1975 when Tri-County needed coverage in that district. John and Bernie returned to their hometown in 1988. They opened The Cherry Grove Mercantile. After retirement, John delivered trucks for McNeilus. He also sold Amway, sang in the Stateline Choir, league bowled in Lewiston, and participated in Harmony City Council, Oddfellows, and the Fillmore County Historical Society. They hosted many reunions, holidays, game nights, and 4th of July parades in Cherry Grove. John and Bernie loved to travel across the country to see family. They traveled to Spain to see Juana, their AFS exchange student. John cherished fishing trips, especially those in Canada. These were shared with family and friends and were beyond special for those who were able (and willing) to go Up North. John recently expressed that he always tried to help those in need.
John is survived by his children Julie Teslow, Kathi Ryan, Merri (Michael) Vitse, Robert (Sandra), Andrew (Bernadette), Lana Kruse; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Also surviving John are his siblings Terry Hur, Paul (June) Finke, Beth (Gene) Mulhern, and siblings-in-laws Tim Hoopman and Kathleen Hoopman.
Preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Bernie; their stillborn son Steven Jon, his parents, his parents-in-law Orrin and Goldie Hoopman, son-in-law Jay Teslow, son-in-law Wally Ryan, brothers Russell (Lucille) and Kenneth (Ardys) Finke; and siblings-in-law Kemper Hur, Delbert Hoopman, Carole Hoopman, and Terrel Hoopman.