Barbara Lee Finley-Shea

Barbara Lee Finley-Shea was born at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota, on September 19, 1955, just 15 minutes after her mother arrived in labor. At this very same hospital, 70 years, 6 months, and 2 days later, she passed away here, after a fall in her home the morning of March 21, 2026. The family really appreciates the kind ER staff who attended to her.

In the years between those dates, Barbara led a kind, consistent, faithful, loving life. She was even awarded the Citizenship Award upon high school graduation from Hayfield High School class of 1974. She was in the National Honor Society and served as editor of the school newspaper, writing many of the articles.

She attended Concordia College, in Moorhead, Minnesota class of 1978. She was an English major with concentration in religion and biology. She had expansive interests.

Upon graduation, she worked for a short time selling uniforms at Ina Mays in Rochester. She found work more in line with her education serving in Montevideo, Minnesota, in a work readiness program, helping people learn to write resumes and interview for work. In that community, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School.

That service work led her back to her true calling, and she enrolled in Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she obtained her Master of Divinity degree with the class of 1988. She pursued advanced training at Hennepin County Medical Center and became a certified hospital chaplain in 1989.

Once she finished her program, she accepted a call to serve in Lime Springs and Chester, Iowa as an ELCA pastor. During those years she first adopted a poodle named Benji. He soon had to make room for an Iowan farmer, Keith Shea, whom she married in 1994. With Keith came the addition of two great children, Lacy (12) and Cody Shea (6). Even with the addition of more humans, they were often outnumbered at home by Barbara's numerous cats and dogs.

In 1999, Barbara accepted a call to Lyle, Minnesota, where she served as pastor at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. While there, Barb volunteered countless hours with the Mower County Humane Society and helped place homeless animals. In addition to that volunteer work, Barbara had a passion for environmental issues and worked tirelessly to combat factory farms for the threat they posed to our environment. She worked to promote family farms as better for our environment. She was also a faithful blood donor.

After leaving Lyle, she and Keith bought their home on Highway 218. Being environmentalists, they installed energy efficient windows and solar panels.

One to enjoy staying busy and having purpose, she continued to serve others as a group home care giver through Independent Management Services. Additionally, she worked as a home health aide through Regency Services. After some years passed, she returned to ministries as a part-time pastor at St Michael's in Waltham.

She loved her husband of 31 years, Keith Shea, a former Hormel employee, who survives her. They shared a respectful love for one another and commitment to their family and their community.

Additionally, Barbara is survived by her children, Lacy (Shawn Losee) Shea and Cody (Kelsey) Shea; four grandchildren, Fredrick, Bernadette, Frances, and Rory; siblings, Bernette Finley-Drawe and Bryan (Rebecca) Finley; brothers-in-law, Patrick (Donna) Shea and Tim Shea, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Karen (Tom) Wencel and Rita Shea; nephews and nieces, Sam Drawe, Claire Drawe, Rev. Paul (Kerissa) Finley, Matthew Finley, Benjamin (Megan) Finley, Christine (Kevin) O’Brien, Laura Shea, Wayne Wencel, Chris Wencel, Jenny Wencel, Amanda (Jarrod) Tomlinson, and Tim Shea, Jr.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dallas and Edith (Holtan) Finley; grandparents, Everett and Ruth Finley and Alfred and Minnie Holtan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenny and Betty Shea; and brothers-in-law, Wayne and Timothy Shea.

A Celebration of Life for Barbara will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin, Minnesota. The visitation will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service. The family encourages you to come as you are, with no need to dress formally.

Memorials are preferred to mental health charities, The United Way, Autism Speaks, or the American Red Cross.

Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.