Photo courtesy of Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home - Moose Lake
Jun 5, 1938 - Sep 19, 2025
Thank You Nancy(Leon) for loving my son Nathan never giving up on him helping him become the man he is today forever thankful
Jacalyn Trout
September 30, 2025 | Superior, WI | Acquaintance
We will always remember Nancy fondly. She was a kind beautiful lady. Our condolences to Leon and your entire family.
Joan Thorsten & Renee Brunner
September 24, 2025 | Moose Lake, MN | Friend
Leon and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I only knew Nancy for about four years but she made an impact on me. I will remember her as a sweet, gentle lady with a smile and sense of humor that would show itself when you least expected it. I enjoyed listening to Nancy play the organ at she was talented, dedicated, a true professional, and took pride in worhshipping the Lord with her music. I asked her a couple times what it was like having so many foster children over the...
Connie Herbert
September 24, 2025 | Barnum, MN | Friend
Leon and family, This is so sad.She was an incredible lady for so many. I treasure the many years as part of the church family where we enjoyed watching her play the organ. RIP Dear Nancy,fly high in heaven.Mitch and Sue Connor and family.
Sue Connor
September 20, 2025 | Barnum, MN
Nancy was a blessing to the world. She will greatly be missed. She was a great mother to many.
Kathy Mandyck
September 20, 2025 | Aumsville, OR | Friend
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3. Even when words fall short, His comfort never does. May you feel His presence in the quiet moments, and may the hope of eternal life bring you peace, knowing this is not goodbye forever
Mark and Lori Finifrock
September 20, 2025 | Foristell, MO | Family
Nancy Lynn Finifrock passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Nancy lived a life of kindness, grace, and compassion, and expressed her gratitude for a long and blessed life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. She maintained her witty sense of humor, appreciation of beauty, and her love of family and friends until the end.
Born June 5, 1938, in Minneapolis, Mn, Nancy moved to Duluth, Mn in her early years, and then to Barnum, Mn during high school. On June 8, 1957, she married her High School sweetheart, Leon, and they spent 68 years, living and working side-by-side, and leading by example.
Nancy’s life can be best described as a life of service and ministry. God called on her in early adulthood to minister to women. Adept at public speaking, she served as the President of the local ‘Christian Women’s Club’ in the Minnetonka area; often speaking at women’s luncheons, retreats, and conferences. She actively prayed that God would lead her to women she could help and minister to; frequently opening her home and sharing her family life with them.
An accomplished musician, Nancy, ministered through her music as a dedicated church organist and pianist for more than 50 years. She practiced and prepared daily, for every Sunday service, and the hundreds of funerals, weddings, and special events she accompanied throughout her life.
After raising two girls, and welcoming a bonus daughter, God called Nancy to join her husband in raising a second family, and she became a ‘boy Mom’, fostering 120 teenage boys over the course of nearly 29 years. Small in stature, Nancy could hold her own with the teens, whether it be for discipline, or solo driving across the country on vacation with a large van filled with her boys.
Nancy was well learned; an avid reader of anything that would enrich her life or fulfill her ministry and her daily walk with God. She was the consummate hostess, opening her home and preparing meals for friends and large family gatherings. She enjoyed traveling, trying new recipes, and she loved birdwatching.
Called by God in both life and death, Nancy has left us with a lasting legacy of what is possible when that call is answered.
Nancy is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Leon; three daughters, Lynn (Stephen) Habhegger, Lori (Mike) Orn, and JC (Gary) Johnson; five granddaughters, Courtney Schlotec, Stephanie Barsness, Jenny Sandstrom, Chelsea Carlson, and Aleah Jacobs and their spouses; two bonus grandchildren, Stephanie Baasch, and Andrew Habhegger and their spouses; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Sharon (Alan) Finifrock, and Kristi (Clyde) Stedman. Her legacy also lives on in the more than 100 foster children she nurtured throughout her life, many of whom still cherish her as mother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold ‘Bud’ and Muriel (Board) Allford, Grandson, Corey Kellis, and Great Grandson Will Schlotec.
The celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Grace Church 601 14th St., Cloquet, Mn, at 11:00a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Nancy will be laid to rest following a graveside service, at Riverside Cemetery, Barnum, Mn on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:00a.m.
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