David William Finley

David William Finley, age 79, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System Austin. Dave was born on February 17, 1946, in Lake City, Iowa. The first son of twin boys by 15 minutes to Kenneth and Helen (Snodgrass) Finley. When Dave was 3 years old, his dad bought a farm near Rose Creek, Minnesota and moved to where he lived until 1964, when he graduated from Rose Creek High School. After graduation from high school, he worked at the Austin Daily Herald newspaper. While working there, he was transferred to Greenville, Ohio to work for the Thompson Newspaper chain. After working there awhile, he found that he didn’t really care for it there, so he quit and traveled to San Francisco to visit his twin brother, Doug, who was living there at the time. Returning to the Midwest, Dave stayed in Des Moines, Iowa and worked for a couple years and also visited aunts and uncles. Upon moving back to Rose Creek in 1967, he met Nancy Arett on a “blind date” through the Austin Daily Herald, where she was working at the time on July 29, 1967, and found it was “love at first sight.” Dave and Nancy were married on December 16, 1967, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin and together had three children. After doing trucking for Pepsi, 12 years at Austin Ready Mix, and driving school and charter bus for several years, he started farming in 1981 and remained committed to his passion until his last days. Dave actively participated and belonged to various organizations, including the Mower County Senior Center, the State Angus Association, the Mower County Cattle Association, and the Mower County Ag Society. He was also a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, where he was active in Monday Morning Group. David enjoyed sports and watching Minnesota sports teams. He especially looked forward to family gatherings, time spent visiting with friends, and going on walks with his dog, Tiny. Dave also held a special place in his heart for his cows, which he considered part of his second family.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy of Austin, MN; children, Kevin (Kathi) Finley of Austin, MN, Kathy (Lynn) Thompson of Austin, MN, and Troy (Danielle) Finley of Austin, MN; 15 grandchildren, Felicia, Kaiden, Tyler, Blake, Brady, Jacob, Chantell, Abby, Tate, Teegan, Demi, Devin, Emilee, Hailee, and Gahvin; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Doug; and parents-in-law.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2025, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. The visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery. Services are prearranged and performed by Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin.