Roberta Maxine Finneseth

Roberta Maxine Finneseth, age 88, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, surrounded by family at South Grove Lodge Senior Living in Austin. Roberta was born in Iowa City, Iowa on February 7, 1936, to Arthur and Beulah (Harklau) Olson. In 1955, she graduated from Austin High School and went on to pursue a career as an X-Ray Tech, graduating from the St. Olaf Hospital School of X-Ray Technology. She started her healthcare career at a Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in Jacksonville, Florida, before joining St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota. On April 15, 1961, she married Robert Finneseth of Spring Valley, MN at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, where she was a charter member of the congregation. They shared 62 blessed years together. In 1966, they adopted their first daughter, Karon, and in 1968 Susan was adopted. 

Roberta “Bertie” devoted her time to education, serving as a teacher's aide in Special Education for Austin Public Schools. She later transitioned to the role of Secretary at the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch School, where she dedicated 18 years until her retirement in June of 2001. She sang in choirs and served on various committees, including the Board of Deacons and Education, contributing her time to chaperoning youth mission trips and other charitable activities. She also committed three years to Mississippi adult mission trips after Hurricane Katrina as well as six mission trips to Jamaica’s West Haven Orphanage. Roberta served as President of the Mrs. Jaycees and held various committee chair roles in the organization. Additionally, she was actively involved in the City Planning Commission and was an integral part of the community through her volunteer work. Roberta’s love for music led her to sing along with Bob in The Northwestern Singers and supported local talent through her involvement in the Miss Minnesota Pageant. She represented her state twice in Atlantic City as a chaperone and became stage manager for the pageant in Austin, Minnesota for several years. 

In her free time, Bertie enjoyed weekly bridge games and golfing with friends, reading books by her favorite authors’, needlework art, and sewing - she was the very proud maker of the many Princess dresses for her granddaughters. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her three adoring granddaughters - Chelsey, Caroline and Olivia, daughters Karon and Susan, family, and their many friends sharing a fun dinner together. Holidays were a special tradition of celebrating with laughter and home-cooked meals with family. You would often find her at the kitchen table working on the Tribune’s daily crossword puzzle or reading quietly in her favorite chair with her cat, Oreo, curled up on her lap and watching the Twins play and golf matches. Bertie will always be remembered for her kind heart and loving, giving nature. She will be forever missed. A favorite saying of hers was “This too shall pass….” - but Mom, your beautiful soul will never be forgotten. 

Survivors include her two daughters, Karon Rynerson (Danny) of Mondovi, Wisconsin, and Susan (Werhner) Schlichter of Austin; three grandchildren, Chelsey Rynerson, Caroline Rynerson, and Olivia Schlichter; step-grandson, Jacob Schlichter; nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Beulah Olson; sisters Debra and Sharon, and brothers Gregory, Gordy and Michael Olson; and most recently her husband, Robert, just seven short months ago. The family would like to thank Mayo Hospice for their unending support during her last days, as well as her special friends and family that visited Mom and supported us.

A memorial service for Roberta will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin or recipient of donor’s choice. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes.