Mark Andrew Finstad, age 39, of Vadnais Heights, Minn., passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, and is now in eternal rest with our Lord.
Mark was born to Craig and Rhonda Finstad on June 1, 1985, in River Falls, Wis. and baptized on Aug. 11, 1985. He was a 2003 graduate of River Falls High School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, in Menomonie, Wis. He spent many years working in the home mortgage industry and most recently was employed by Allianz Life Insurance in Golden Valley, Minn. as an account services representative. He was well-liked and respected by his many friends and co-workers.
Sports were a big part of Mark’s life, whether it was playing them, watching them on television, or attending games in person. Mark loved to play golf, and was an avid Packers, Brewers, Badgers and Bucks fan. From a very early age, Mark followed high school basketball and attended the Wisconsin State boys basketball tournament every year. He was known for his sense of humor and ability to quote movie lines and sports trivia. He had a close relationship with his family, was a great and loyal friend and a wonderful uncle to his niece and nephews. Mark was known for his quiet and unassuming demeanor, his kindness, gentleness, dependability, selflessness and generosity.
Mark will be dearly missed by his parents, Craig and Rhonda Finstad; siblings, Joel (Bridgett) Finstad and Kristen (Andrew) Darkow; aunts and uncles, Brad (Terese) Finstad, Tanya (Charley) Schlee, Stewart Brettingen, Randall (Elsa) Brettingen; niece and nephews, Madison and Dane Finstad, and James and John Darkow; cousins, Alex Schlee, Carly Schlee, Amy (Brad) Hribar, Lindsey (Mike) Fehr, Alex Brettingen and Anna (Eric) Thompson; along with many other family and friends.
Mark is preceded in death by his grandparents, Orvin and Beverly Finstad and Orrie and Arliss Brettingen; aunts and uncle, Nadine and Steve Bittner and Nancy Brettingen.
A funeral service for Mark will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at noon at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St.) River Falls, Wis., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.