Lillian May Finch was born on October 30, 1925 in Donnelly, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Earl and Lily Annie (Loveland) Reed. She grew up in Donnelly and was Baptized and Confirmed at St. Theresa Catholic Church. She graduated from the St. Francis High School in Little Falls, MN. On January 27, 1947 she was united in marriage to Austin F. Finch and to this union two daughters were born. It was the beginning of 63 years of marriage together. They made their home in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1954 she underwent open heart surgery at the University of Minnesota, one of the earliest performed there. She was a member of the Catholic Ladies Society, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. For a number of years she was a member of Homemakers in Anoka County. In 1982 they moved to Amery where they spent their retirement. Lillian and Austin were significant participants in getting the Amery Senior Center built. She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers. Lillian also took part in ceramics and particularly enjoyed painting loons on the art pieces. As her family grew with new grandchildren she reveled in each one and enjoyed the family times together. After moving to Amery she was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Lillian's health has become more difficult over the past couple of years and she had moved to the nursing home recently. She died at Amery Regional Medical on Wednesday March 31, 2010 at the age of 84 years.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Carol Ann, brothers: Fred, Leonard and Art; and one sister Grace. Left to mourn are her husband Austin Finch; daughter Terri (Gary) Anderson, Brother Raymond; four grandchildren: Todd, Chris (Sheilah) Jeff (Susan) and Scott (Anna); great grandchildren: Jacob, Alexis, Mike and Ryan as well as other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday April 6 at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amery. Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 7 pm at the funeral home and for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at the Amery Cemetery.