To view a livestream of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas. 

DeAnne Kay Finken, 66, of Douglas, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, September 20, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, following a 13-year battle with breast cancer.

DeAnne was born on April 26, 1960 to Nels and Marion (Bivins) Narum. She was raised on the family farm in rural Douglas and greatly enjoyed helping her dad with whatever he was doing. DeAnne attended first grade in Douglas, then continued in Garrison until her graduation in 1978. Growing up, she stayed active by playing basketball, being a member of the Douglas Astronauts 4-H Club and playing trombone. Her talent at the free throw line earned her the CB handle “Gifter Gal.” She went on to attend Bismarck Junior College, lending her athleticism to the volleyball and basketball teams while earning an Associate Degree in Business Management. She continued her love of sports by playing softball for many years and even umpiring.

Shortly before college started, she caught the eye of a guy from the “other side” of Douglas and fell in love. Robert “Bob” Finken and DeAnne were married on June 12, 1982, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Douglas. They made their home on the Finken family farm and raised four children: Tracy, Holly, Katie, and Dylan.

Her pride and joy were raising her children to enjoy sports and music. She could be seen at every game, concert, and whatever else there was to attend. There was never a time she wasn’t there to cheer from the sidelines, and she was often the one driving the bus to the events. She drove school bus for 25 years for Max Public School and then continued her service by substitute driving when her grandkids started school. Her sports and music event attendance picked up again when her grandkids started in these same activities. She loved every minute of it.

DeAnne was a servant, both to her church and community. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was heavily involved in keeping it running smoothly and looking nice. She was the church treasurer for 37 years, took over playing the organ when her mother was unable to play, and guided many children through Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Her faith also led to her involvement with Camp of the Cross, serving on the camp board, endowment board, and helping with their annual Prairie Lake Festival. She served the school with her involvement in Max Music Boosters and served six years on the school board, and the community through being a Farmers Union youth leader, Cameron Township treasurer, and faithful blood donor. DeAnne also organized blanket tying events for 10 years to support Pink It Forward.

She was a woman of many talents, from making beautiful quilts & wall hangings, to hemming or repairing clothes, to driving big farm equipment, to being a master family schedule coordinator. In all the busyness, she always made sure to reserve Monday mornings with the Douglas Quilters and Thursdays for golf outings with the ladies.

DeAnne enjoyed going on many adventures with family and friends. She was happy to have visited all 50 states! She was always planning the next trip, which often involved site-seeing and catching a musical show.

DeAnne is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Bob; daughters, Tracy (Dustin) Stangeland of Glenfield, Holly (Chris) Sobieck of Douglas, Katie Finken of Denver, CO; son, Dylan (Sydnie) Finken, Douglas; grandchildren, Cainen, Emma, Conner, and Kipten Stangeland, Gavin, Chase, Calvin, and Tessa Sobieck; sister, Peggy Moran; brother, Gary (Christy) Narum; sisters-in-law, Sharon (Ted) King, Kathy (Arlo) Sailer, Elaine (LeRoy) Stolt; and brother-in-law, Dennis (Muriel) Finken; many nieces and nephews; and close friend Linda Delzer of Douglas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Marion Narum; in-laws, Wilmer and Isabelle Finken; brother-in-law, DeWayne Moran; sister-in-law, Becky Heinecke; and many aunts and uncles.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 28, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Douglas. To view a livestream of the service access https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas. In honor of DeAnne and her courageous battle with Breast Cancer, we invite attendees to join us in wearing pink.

Interment: Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Douglas

Prayer Service: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27th at the Douglas Senior Center.

Visitation: Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Douglas Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to Camp of the Cross, Trinity CancerCare Center or the donor’s choice.