Kenneth W. Finkner

Kenneth W. Finkner, 92, passed on to be with his Lord on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 at Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center.  Kenny was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ada Beth Cranson Finkner in Nov. 2011.   

Kenny was born to August and Sophia Finkner in Akron, CO on Jan. 19, 1920.  He grew up on a ranch learning dry land farming, beef and horse production, resourcefulness, patience, and hard work.  He graduated from Akron High School and attended Colorado A & M in Fort Collins until drafted into the Army in 1942.  Kenny was commissioned a second Lieutenant and served in the Field Artillery, until discharged in 1946.  On June 19, 1943, he married Ada Beth Cranson, whom he met while they were both students at Colorado A & M.   After the war, they returned to Fort Collins A & M where Kenny taught classes as he finished his degree in Animal Science.  During these years, he was a member of the college livestock judging team.  The highlight of his college career was traveling to national competetions across the country, winning, and forging  life long friendships with his teammates.   After graduation in 1947, the young couple settled in La Junta where Kenny again taught veterans enrolled in the On the Farm Training Program offered by La Junta Junior College,  and worked for Cranson Dairy.   In 1950, they purchased a farm in North La Junta where they raised their three children;  Marva Lynne, Norman, and Beverley.  They lived there for the next 54 years, farming,  milking dairy cows for 25 years, and eventually renting the land.  After selling the dairy cows, Kenny went to work for the Farmers Home Administration as a loan officer in Lamar, Rocky Ford, Springfield, and Burlington, CO.  In 2004, they left the farm to retire to Casa Del Sol where they enjoyed their last years together.  

Kenny always had a generous heart for serving others.  He loaned machinery, baled hay, mowed weeds, scraped snow, welded broken implements, and invented what was needed.  He was an honorary member of the LJ FFA, a 4-H volunteer and leader, and a livestock judge at county fairs for years.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ft. Bent Water Co., delivered Meals on Wheels for 17 years, and taught classes on animal health at OJC in the 1970s.   Kenny's Christian faith walk began when he was a young boy in his family and church in Akron.  He was a lifelong of member of the Presbyterian Church; serving as an Elder, Deacon, Trustee, President of Men's Club &Young Couples group, Sunday school teacher, and for many years taught the Communicants' Class for church membership.  Kenny leaves behind a family grateful for his straightforward and steadfast faith, and for his legacy of quietly working to build an admirable life and family,  always driven by his heart of love and service.

Kenneth is survived by children, Marva Lynne (Roy) Fritch, Norman (Patricia) Finkner of La Junta, Beverley (Phil) Jantzi of Waterloo, Ont., Canada;  grandchildren, Lisa Fritch, Ryan (Caroline) Finkner of La Junta, Becky (Scot) Lemke of Navarre, FL, Lori (Garry) Albright of Greeley, CO, Rachel and Hannah Jantzi of Waterloo, Ont. and 4 great, grandchildren.  He is also survived by a sister, Ruby Brigham of Terry, Montana; sisters-in-law, Midge Cranson and Mary Cranson both of La Junta and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of dear friends and acquaintances.

Besides his wife Ada Beth, Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Ethelda Beede and brothers-in-law, Tom Beede, Jay Yoder, Walt, Lee, Calvin, and Don Cranson; sisters-in-law, Shirley Belle and Mary Genevive Cranson and Barbara Yoder.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Shand, the Hospice nurses, and all the caring staff at the Nursing Care Center, both East and West, for your loving care for Dad in these past months.  Your attention to him and support for us means more than we can express.

Those wishing to do so may make a memorial gift in Kenny's name to Arkansas Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050, or to a charity of your choice.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in La Junta with Reverend Dr. MJ Romano officiating.   Internment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, Sept, 14 from 4:00-5:00 pm at Peacock Memorial Chapel.