Published 5:06 pm Friday, July 26, 2024 By austinsubmitted Roberta M. Finneseth, 88 Roberta Maxine Finneseth, age 88, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2024, surrounded by family at South Grove Lodge Senior Living in Austin. Roberta was born in Iowa City, Iowa on February 7, 1936, to Arthur and Beulah (Harklau) Olson.
In 1955, she graduated from Austin High School and went on to pursue a career as an X-Ray Tech, graduating from the St. Olaf Hospital School of X-Ray Technology. She started her healthcare career at a Lutheran Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and in Jacksonville, Florida, before joining St.
Olaf Hospital in Austin, Minnesota. On April 15, 1961, she married Robert Finneseth of Spring Valley, MN at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, where she was a charter member of the congregation. They shared 62 blessed years together.
In 1966, they adopted their first daughter, Karon, and in 1968 Susan was adopted. Roberta “Bertie” devoted her time to education, serving as a teacher’s aide in Special Education for Austin Public Schools. She later transitioned to the role of Secretary at the Sheriff’s Youth Ranch School, where she dedicated 18 years until her retirement in June of 2001.
She sang in choirs and served on various committees, including the Board of Deacons and Education, contributing her time to chaperoning youth mission trips and other charitable activities. She also committed three years to Mississippi adult mission trips after Hur.