Nancy Lynn Finifrock passed away peacefully at home on September 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.   Nancy lived a life of kindness, grace, and compassion, and expressed her gratitude for a long and blessed life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. She maintained her witty sense of humor, appreciation of beauty, and her love of family and friends until the end.

Born June 5, 1938, in Minneapolis, Mn, Nancy moved to Duluth, Mn in her early years, and then to Barnum, Mn during high school.  On June 8, 1957, she married her High School sweetheart, Leon, and they spent 68 years, living and working side-by-side, and leading by example.

Nancy's life can be best described as a life of service and ministry.  God called on her in early adulthood to minister to women.  Adept at public speaking, she served as the President of the local 'Christian Women's Club' in the Minnetonka area; often speaking at women's luncheons, retreats, and conferences.  She actively prayed that God would lead her to women she could help and minister to; frequently opening her home and sharing her family life with them.

An accomplished musician, Nancy, ministered through her music as a dedicated church organist and pianist for more than 50 years.  She practiced and prepared daily, for every Sunday service, and the hundreds of funerals, weddings, and special events she accompanied throughout her life.

After raising two girls, and welcoming a bonus daughter, God called Nancy to join her husband in raising a second family, and she became a 'boy Mom', fostering 120 teenage boys over the course of nearly 29 years.  Small in stature, Nancy could hold her own with the teens, whether it be for discipline, or solo driving across the country on vacation with a large van filled with her boys.

Nancy was well learned; an avid reader of anything that would enrich her life or fulfill her ministry and her daily walk with God.  She was the consummate hostess, opening her home and preparing meals for friends and large family gatherings. She enjoyed traveling, trying new recipes, and she loved birdwatching.

Called by God in both life and death, Nancy has left us with a lasting legacy of what is possible when that call is answered.

Nancy is survived by her loving and dedicated husband, Leon; three daughters, Lynn (Stephen) Habhegger, Lori (Mike) Orn, and JC (Gary) Johnson; five granddaughters, Courtney Schlotec, Stephanie Barsness, Jenny Sandstrom, Chelsea Carlson, and Aleah Jacobs and their spouses; two bonus grandchildren, Stephanie Baasch, and Andrew Habhegger and their spouses; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters Sharon (Alan) Finifrock, and Kristi (Clyde) Stedman.  Her legacy also lives on in the more than 100 foster children she nurtured throughout her life, many of whom still cherish her as mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold 'Bud' and Muriel (Board) Allford, Grandson, Corey Kellis, and Great Grandson Will Schlotec.

The celebration of Nancy's life will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Grace Church 601 14th St., Cloquet, Mn, at 11:00a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00a.m.  A fellowship luncheon will follow the service.  Nancy will be laid to rest following a graveside service, at Riverside Cemetery, Barnum, Mn on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:00a.m.