Kenneth Blaine "KB" Finneseth, 86, rural Norwich, died on Sunday in a Minot hospital with his loving family at his side. KB's planned activity of attending an auction on Saturday was changed when he suffered a massive stroke in the early morning.

Kenneth was born on August 15, 1930 in Minot to Kenneth and Blanche (Ofsthun) Finneseth. He was reared on the family farm in North Prairie Township of McHenry County and attended country school as well as Surrey and Norwich schools. As a young adult, he assisted on the family farm. KB enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 12, 1948 and served primarily aboard the U.S. S. Meredith prior to his honorable discharge on October 2, 1952. Following his discharge, he returned to the Norwich area and continued farming.

KB married Thelma Krefting on November 15, 1950 in Norwich. They made their home on a farm in North Prairie Township where they raised small grains, beef cattle, and horses. They also operated a dairy farm for twenty-one years. He officially retired from farming on the date of his death.

KB was a lifelong member of the Norwich Lutheran Church and served as President of the church council for several terms. He was a member of the American Legion, Elks Lodge, Eagles Aerie and Moose Lodge. He served on the Boards of Directors of North Prairie Township, North Prairie Rural Water and Telephone Company, Metigoshe Ministries, McHenry Co FHA, Dairy Herd Improvement Association and Minot Area Development Corporation. He especially enjoyed horseback riding and was an avid supporter of Velva High School activities.

KB's loving family includes his wife of 66 years: Thelma; children: Diana Brooks of Bismarck, Edward (Jill) Finneseth of Savage MN, Doug Finneseth of Towner, Greg (Robin) Finneseth of Velva and Robert (Karyn) Finneseth of Litchfield MN; Fifteen grandchildren: Jorey (Kayla) Finneseth, Chelsea (Brooks) Luper, Jenna Jauman, Carly (Colt) Hale, Blaine Finneseth, Robert Finneseth, Lincoln Finneseth, Cash Finneseth, Alex Finneseth, Ben Finneseth, Anna Finneseth, Brie Finneseth, Jerald Huber, Alesha (Jesse) Legoll and Amanda Finneseth; seven great grandchildren: Branltey Hale, Jude Finneseth, Ava Finneseth, Elizabeth Paige Brendal, Zachary Huber, Kaitlyn Huber and Isabella Finneseth; in-laws: Jane Finneseth of rural Norwich, Edward (Sharon) Krefting of Pomona, CA and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

KB was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Eugene, son-in-law: Robert "Al" Brooks and sisters In-laws: Alma (Willie) and Sarah (Archie); Nieces: Debi, Georgia, Cheryl Ann, and Heather.

Celebration of the Life of KB Finneseth: Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the Norwich Lutheran Church - Norwich.
Interment will be in the Norwich Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation: Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Norwich Lutheran Church Cemetery, Metigoshe Ministries or donor's choice.