Brian Lee Finneseth, 53, Velva and formerly of Anchorage, Alaska died on Tuesday in a Minot hospital from a cerebral vascular accident (c.v.a.).

Brian was born on April 5, 1960 in Minot to Alvin and Eleanor (Jylen) Finneseth. He was reared there and in Boulder CO and Mesa AZ and graduated from West High School in Mesa. He continued his education at Hutchison Career Center in Fairbanks, Alaska where he lived for fifteen years while he worked in the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay and Kaparuk during the Alaska oil boom. Then, Brian lived in Anchorage, Alaska for nineteen years and was employed in the North Slope oil field.

Brian returned to North Dakota in 2003 and lived in Velva and was employed as a truck driver in the Williston Basin Oil Field and other jobs.

Brian was an excellent bowler and often held a scoring average of better than 200. He was an avid hunter and especially enjoyed using a muzzle loader, bow and arrow and rim fire. However, his number one passion was his girls. He was a kind and generous father and was always there for them. Brian was a good friend to many and was always willing to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate.

Brian leaves us with many wonderful memories of how important he was to all of his family and friends.

Brian's loving family includes his children: Angela Finneseth of Anchorage AK and April Finneseth of Velva; parents: Alvin and Eleanor Finneseth of Velva; brothers: Brad Finneseth of Fairbanks and Allen Finneseth of Anchorage and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Brian was preceded in death by his grandparents: Arvith and Irene Finneseth and Frank and Anna Jylen and his aunt Elaine Finneseth.

Celebration of the Life of Brian Finneseth: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. in the Norwich Lutheran Church in Norwich ND.
Interment will be in the Norwich Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation: Sunday from noon until 4:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Souris Valley Care Center.