Louis Finke

LOUIS EUGENE FINKE, 1915-2016

Louis Eugene Finke died on April 19, 2016, at Wilshire at Lakewood nursing facility. He was 100 years old. Louis was born in Miami, Oklahoma, on July 9, 1915, the first child of Louis Henry and Edna Elizabeth (Clark) Finke. He is preceded in death by his sister, Alyene Rosendal. He spent his youth on the family farm near Anderson, Missouri. He attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M one year and then the University of Missouri at Columbia, from which he received his B.S. in Agriculture in 1937. He worked in the dairy industry during college, then with Carnation in Oakland, Maryland, and as a field representative for Borden Milk Company in Kansas City until the early 1960’s. Then Louis became a health sanitarian with Clay County Health Department in Liberty, retiring with a Sanitarian IV rating at age 68. Set up by a mutual friend, Louis met Elinor W. Stoenner of Levasy, Missouri, on a blind date in Kansas City. They were married on July 5, 1942 in Levasy. Since he was employed in a critical industry, he served in the Army from March, 1945 until March, 1946, when he was honorably discharged. Louis and Elinor had three sons, Raymond Henry Finke, DDS, (Susan) of Richmond,
Missouri, Gerald Eugene Finke, DO, (Marcia) of Lee’s Summit, and Ronald Clark Finke, JD, (Karen) of Independence. Louis was devoted to his wife. They enjoyed almost 64 years together before her death on
June 30, 2006. He was very proud of his family, including his 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He often said, If we work together, there is not anything we cannot accomplish. By family order, grandchildren include Bryan Finke, MD (Beth), of Springfield, Marc Finke, PharmD (Becky) of Leawood, Meredith Teter (Matthew, PharmD) of Springfield, David Finke, MD (Scott Reynolds) of Los Angeles, Anne Morgan, DO, Lee’s Summit, Paige Smith, Lee’s Summit, Gregory Finke (Mindi) of Independence, Joseph Finke (Whitney MD) of
Indianapolis, Indiana, and Elizabeth Scholes (Conor) of Independence. Louis was a member of First Baptist Church of Independence since 1952. He served as a Deacon and he and Elinor were active in Bible study groups. He helped with BSA Troop 236, sponsored by the Church and was an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He and Elinor were Master Gardeners and were members of the Ellswood Meadows Garden Club. The Salvation Army recognized their faithful provision of fresh vegetables for many years with a Volunteer of the Year award. Louis also enjoyed traveling and the outdoors, teaching his sons to hunt and fish, especially at their cabin located at the Lake of the Ozarks. Visitation will be held at Speaks Chapel on 39th Street Sunday, April 24 from 6:00-8:00. A Celebration Service will be held at First Baptist Church of Independence, 500 Truman Rd. Monday at 10:00. The family suggests contributions to the Salvation Army or
First Baptist Church, Independence. The family wishes to thank the many individuals that made it possible for Louis and Elinor to remain in their home for so many years, especially Mike Cavanaugh and Barbara Mills.