Nina Finn

Nina Finn, age 89, of Philip formerly of Midland, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
Nina Justine Livermore was born November 20, 1929, in Pierre, the daughter of J. Ray and Agnes (Erickson) Livermore. Her mother had arrived by train to await Nina's arrival. Nina grew up near Van Metre and attended her first three years of elementary school in Van Metre and finished through the 8th grade at Twin Buttes School. As a young child, Nina enjoyed riding horses, playing with their cats, dogs, and yellow canary “Dicky”, and making up their own games, as there was no such thing as “purchased toys.” During this time, Nina also attended Bible school at Rolling Green School, which was two miles on horses for several summers. Her high school years were spent at Midland High School. After her schooling, Nina was a telephone operator above the old bank building in Midland for two years.
Nina was united in marriage to Delmer Finn on August 27, 1949, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Midland, with Jessie (Dale) Root and Ulane Finn in the wedding party. Nina and Delmer spent their honeymoon in the Black Hills, attending the Passion Play as well as other numerous sights.
After their marriage they made their home near Midland while Delmer worked for Severson’s, northeast of Midland. They spent four of the next five years at the Severson’s, with one year in Oacoma. It was at this time that Nina and Delmer had two sons born, Danny and Donnie. The family later moved to Gettysburg to work for Harry Manful. It was there that they met their life long friends, the Griffeths.
After their move back to Midland, they purchased land from Charlie Nemec on top of the hill east of Midland. They built a basement house on the home place, and after their third son Tom came along, they built the top to the house. Nina made quite a home for her family, but also her home was home for many custom combiners for a number of years, along with Phil Hinkley. She cooked, did laundry, and sewed for the men, as they much appreciated their home away from home.
Nina spent many hours in the kitchen cooking meals for her family and friends as well as canning the produce from her garden. She enjoyed baking, especially bread, using her old cook stove, which she used until she moved to Rapid City. She also raised and butchered chickens every summer.
Nina was one of the original members of the Midland PTA and served one term as president. She was also a member of the Midland School Board for several years as well as a member of the Bad River extension club. Nina and Delmer enjoyed the dance classes from Jerry Klouse. Although Nina started going alone, it wasn’t long before Delmer followed. You couldn’t stop him after that. They were very active in the Bad River Dance Club for a number of years. Schoniger’s, Phillips’, Olson’s and Finn’s partook in many dance trips together, traveling in the "Skippy Wagon." Some of these trips included Las Vegas, area states, and the Mitchell Polka Fest, which was their favorite. Nina and Delmer enjoyed travelling to many dances throughout the Midwest. In addition to their numerous dance trips, they took a Caribbean Cruise with Eddie Skeets.
Nina and Delmer continued to reside in Midland until 1997 when they moved to Rapid City. It was there that Nina was able to enjoy her hobbies of making porcelain dolls and creating their clothes, appliqué and piece quilts, embroidery, crocheting, and cooking.  Her sewing room was her studio for her creations. In 2015 Nina moved into the Philip Nursing Home where she has since resided. It was here that she found a love of coloring. In 2017, Nina became a member of the United Church in Philip.
Survivors include her husband Delmer Finn of Philip; three sons Danny Finn of Newell, Donnie Finn and his wife Alexa of Sedro-Wooley, Washington, and Tom Finn and his wife Cynthia of Philip; eight grandchildren Dawn (Jim) Herber, Becky (Wade) Nelson, Shane (Melissa) Finn, Shad (Jenna) Finn, Shaun Finn, Shannon Finn, Stephanie (Adam) Frank, and Heather (Kevin) Nelson; eleven great-grandchildren Caity and Cameron Ausmann, Bryan (Jessica) and Chandler (Cassie) Nelson, Kahler, Abby, and Elijah Finn, and Cass, Cole, and Emma Finn and Baby Frank due in November; four great-great-grandchildren; one sister Jessica Root and her husband Jim of Midland; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Nina was preceded in death by a granddaughter Clara Finn; her parents; one brother Bud Livermore; one sister Lucille Davis; and a daughter-in-law Deanna Finn.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Philip Nursing Home fund or the United Church.
A visitation was held from 3-5 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, at the United Church in Philip.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 on Monday, September 2, at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment was held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 2, at the Midland Cemetery.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to Newsletter feed
Comment Here