Dale Finken

Dale Ray Finken, 74, of Sioux City, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at his residence.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Navy following the service. Private family graveside services will be Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes.
Dale was born on March 17, 1943, in Earling, Iowa, to Austin M. Finken and Rita M. (Graeve) Finken. He graduated from Heelan Catholic High School in 1962. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and graduated from boot camp in the Great Lakes later that summer. He then served as an electrician"s mate on the USS Vesuvius AE-15 during the Vietnam War. After his four years of active duty he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for an additional 16 years and retired at the rank of petty officer first class.
He married Starr L. Simonsen in 1967 and had three children. He married his second wife, Rebecca S. Alex in 1985 and was with her until her passing in November 2014. Dale was an accomplished electrician and carpenter.
Upon retirement at 66, he kept himself busy by caring for his home of 50 years, cooking and trying new recipes. Within his last few years, he would often travel about town with his camera practicing amateur photography. He was an active and dedicated member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and often volunteered his services and assistance for numerous activities. He was well known for his generosity. Denelle said it best, "He probably fixed something for you, built your porch, or rewired your house and wouldn't let you pay him." He was that type of man, that member of the family, and that kind of friend.
Dale had a very close relationship with all of his grandchildren. He was very proud of them and always excited to have them around.
Dale is survived by his children, Denelle C. (Finken) Bratcher and her husband, Timothy W. Bratcher, Steven F. Finken, and Damon M. Finken and his wife, Angela M. (Olsen) Finken; grandchildren, Kyle S. Finken and his fiancee, Jordyn Hannibal, Austin E. Finken, Conner J. Finken, Elizabeth Sue Ann Finken, Caleb W. Bratcher, and Sara Mae Bratcher; his sisters, Myrna (Ron) Powers, Jean (Jim) Wisor, Char LeMoine; and sisters-in-law, Hope (Glen) Finken and Laurinda (Mel) Finken; and brothers, Gary (Fran) Finken, and Dan (Linda) Finken.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Sue (Alex) Finken; his parents; stepfather, Vern Pranke; and brothers, Ron Finken, Mel Finken, and Glen Finken.