Noel Herman Finke was born November 16, 1939, in Exeter, Nebraska, the eldest surviving son of Herman and Hilda Finke. He was baptized into the Christian faith on December 10, 1939, by the Rev. Martin Juengel at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cordova, Nebraska.

After his family moved to Malcolm, Nebraska, Noel was instructed and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on April 6, 1952, by the Rev. Carl Jurgenson. He attended school there and graduated from Malcolm High School in 1956.

On May 9, 1964, Noel and Delores Anderson were joined in a holy marriage that was blessed with the birth of two daughters.

Noel was an employee of Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. for eighteen years, including four years at the Bell Labs in New Jersey. He worked in the Data Systems Department. In addition, he owned Bennington Freezer Meats in Bennington, Nebraska.

He was very active in both church and community affairs. He was proud of serving on the Bennington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He was a member of the National Board of Directors for Honeywell Large System Users Association (H. L. S. U. A.). He wa also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Blair, Nebraska.

He served his church as a member of the Board of Elders of Zion congregation for the past four years. He was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Medical Center in Omaha. And, he served ably as the Chairman of Zion congregation’s 90th Anniversary in 1976. He and his family have been members of the church since moving into the Bennington area seven years ago.

After a long illness, Noel passed away late Sunday night, October 22, at the age of 38 years, 11 months.

He is survived by his wife, Delores and daughters: Patricia and Cheryl; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Finke of Lincoln, NE; Verle and his wife Jean of Lincoln. He is also survived by his grandmother, Mrs. Henry Wellmann of Utica, NE and several nieces and nephews, as well as by a host of friends and neighbors.

Funeral services were conducted on October 25 at 2 p.m. from Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, 144th & Ida Sts., Omaha. Pastor Albert G. Engler officiated. Mrs. Joyce Johnson was the organist. Active pallbearers were Harold Clatterbuck, Ed Harding, James Atkinson, Jerry Miles, Al Lambiase and Douglas Nelson. Honorary pallbearers were: the Bennington Volunteer Fire Department, Bill Pospisil, Ted Bissen, Dick Mathes, Wayne Moeller, Larry Witt, Dick Oscar, Alex Mueller and Sonny Schmidt.

The interment was at Flower Hill Cemetery. Memorials were designed for the Bennington Rescue Squad-Jaws of Life Fund; the Bennington Library or ones favorite charity.

A luncheon was served at the church following the burial. The Rebekah Circle of the congregation, the Bennington Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and friends served.