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Mark Andrew Finstad, age 39, of Vadnais Heights, MN passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 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, Wisconsin and baptized on August 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, Wisconsin. He spent many years working in the home mortgage industry and most recently was employed by Allianz Life Insurance in Golden Valley, MN 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 took place on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 12:00PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St) River Falls, Wisconsin, with visitation beginning at 10:00AM. Interment is in Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Click here to watch the recording of Mark’s service.
44 Comments
Craig, Rhonda, Joel and Kristen, my heart hurts for all of you. Lifting you up in prayer. May Mark be at peace. ~Mel
Craig, Rhonda, Joel
Kristen & Families….
My heart is breaking💔
I am so very sorry for
Your deep loss❤️🩹
May you feel the love
& support of family &
Friends that surrounds
You❤️ God Bless your
Beautiful memories of Mark.
May they bring comfort & peace.
Blessings.
Oh my heart is just broken for you all. Mark was so special to our family. He and our Krissy had such good times. I’m so sorry. Our prayers are with you all.
Thoughts & prayers with you. Let us know if there’s anything we can do for the family.
Loved Mark!
Craig, Rhonda, Joel and Kristen. I am so sorry. I had a lot of great memories with Mark. Rest easy Finny.
I never met your son, Craig, but wanted to say how sorry I am to read of your loss. I’m praying for your family and hoping you can be at peace.
I am quite heartbroken for your family Craig, Rhonda, Joel and Kristen and family prayers and thoughts are with you at this time may you find love and peace as he is in God’s loving arms
Heartbreaking!
Praying for you all 🙏
My heart aches for your family. The memories I have of Mark always include his sunny disposition and kind heart whether in sports, piano lessons, or as an elementary student. This really sucks.
Craig and Rhonda and family:
There are no words right now. Just an extension of my deepest sympathy to each of you. May our Lord Jesus provide you with the comfort that only He can prove. Big hugs.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Craig, Rhonda, Joel, and Kristen, my deepest sympathies to all of you
I’m deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Craig, Rhonda, Joel, and Kristen, my deepest sympathies to all of you. May Fod encircle you with his love.
So very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you, and fill your hearts with His comfort and peace.
We are saddened to hear of Mark’s passing and sorry for your family’s loss.
My very deepest symapthy to your family on your hearbreaking loss. My prayers are with you all.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
To Craig, Rhonda, and family. My heart is with you in your time of loss. I did not know Mark. Because he was a Finstad, he must have been unforgettable and spectacular. Sending my love and friendship forever.
To the entire Finstad Family, my heart breaks for you all with the loss of your son, brother and uncle Mark. May you all be comforted by your family, friends and our Almighty God. May Mark rest in peace and God wrap his arms around you all in this time of sorrow.
We are so sorry for your loss. We offer our heartfelt condolences. Hopefully the cherished moments your family shared will bring you some comfort. 😢. Thinking of you!
Craig, Rhonda, Joel and Kristen
When I think of Mark, words like gentle, kind and sweet come to mind and fill my heart. Mark, James and the rest of that crew of guys grew up together. The years of baseball and basketball were wonderful times.
We send you our most heartfelt love as you navigate through this difficult time.
Jim and Carol
This is heartbreaking… I’m so sad prayers to you guys
Craig and Rhonda, during this time of unimaginable grief, may you find solace in the love and memories you shared with Mark.His spirit lives on in the lives he touched. He is gone too soon.
With heavy hearts we are thinking of you and so sorry for the loss of Mark. We have fond memories of him playing basketball and having fun with the gang. Our deepest sympathies. Jerry and Carol.
Craig and Rhonda, and Family, we are so saddened to hear of the passing of your Son Mark. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs. Jim and Lola
Craig, Rhonda and family. We are thinking of you at this very sad time. We were very surprised and saddened when we heard of Mark’s passing . We have very fond memories of Mark growing up from elementary school through high school. All of you are in our prayers. Chris & Kim.
Craig and Rhonda, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We are stunned and are having a difficult time finding words to say to you! Our hearts hurt for you and your family. As parents, we think we should never have to .experience the loss of our child, it should be us the parent. The two of you are very special, We value you and your friendship. Please let us know if we can be of any help. You are loved. With sincere condolences, Jo and Bud
Craig and Rhonda, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you will find peace and comfort from the Lord.
Dear Rhonda,Craig,and family, it was so hard to see this. Our hearts are so saddened for you loss. I still remember the day your son was born. Mark and our son were both in the nursery at hospital together. I still can remember Craig’s face smiling into the glass so proudly. We are just so sorry. Our love and prayers to each of you. God bless you. Barb and Steve Nelson
We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support of our community of friends and acquaintances. We are heartbroken over the loss of Mark, but your amazing support, along with our faith has provided much comfort and peace. Thank you all so much!
So sorry to hear about mark. Sending hugs and prayers to u and your family. I went to school for Joel.
Amen.
I am so sorry for your loss. Hoping you are able to find some comfort in the wonderful memories you made over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rhonda & Craig ,
So heartbreaking ! 💔 I’m so sorry for all of you.
My first memory of Mark was taking care of when he a just few months old Sweet baby boy. Wonderful memories of Mark thru Ezekiel & Class of 2003 events I have the sweetest picture of Mark & Marisa walking out together during the Christmas pageant when they were preschoolers Mark so cute with his little bow tie & vest
My love, thoughts & prayers are with you all
Thank you Denise. I would love to see that picture!
We were saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
Craig, Rhonda and family. So sad at Mark’s passing. I sit here with tears remembering how sweet he was when I babysat him. What a special young man. My prayer are with all of you at this time.
My thoughts and prayers to the Finstad family. May Mark rest in peace and peace to you all.
Craig, Rhonda, and Family – You have my heartfelt sympathy. Rhonda, I remember the stories you shared about your family throughout the years we worked together, and I know how proud you were of Mark. May you find comfort in the memories, and may your family, friends and faith help you through this difficult time.
Rhonda , Craig, and Family,
Sending my love any sympathy to you all over the shocking loss of Mark. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. My thoughts go back to early days and play dates with Mark and Jordan. May your memories be a blessing!
Kathy
Dear Finstad Family,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Mark’s passing. Our family has great memories of the boys playing sports together. Kaitlin remembers playing with Kristen and David has sent a picture of he and Mark at Stout. Being at the service today was like seeing every family our age with the RF youth sports and RFHS teams so many mourn with you and the community feels your loss. Jane and Dan Webb and family.
Finstad Family – so very sorry for your loss. I had many fond memories with Mark. Praying for your family during this difficult time.
I was terribly sad to hear of Mark’s death. He was a lovely boy to have in class. He was so easy going with a sunny smile, and a tad of mischief that I remember fondly. I hope your lovely memories ease your sorrow. I’m on vacation in Mexico otherwise I would have attended his funeral. 🥲
My condolences to you. I so enjoyed having Mark in class.He was easy going, kind and so respectful along with a happy persona. I also remember talking with you at conferences; very dedicated parents! He was so fortunate to have such a loving and caring family. My heart goes out to you. 💕
Dear Craig and Rhonda,I was so saddened when I was informed of Mark’s passing. When I saw his picture I immediately recalled the little guy who attended all of Joel’s baseball games. I could tell at that time that this little guy was a ball fanatic.
I am so happy that you saw fit to include his baptisms in his obituary I will pray for God’s love to be shared. I will lift all of you up to God
Dear Craig, Rhonda and all of Marks loved ones. I was so saddened to learn of Mark’s passing. When I saw his photo I instantly recalled the little boy who attended all of brother Joels’ summer league baseball games. It was easy to see that Mark love ball.
I am so happy that you included his baptism date in his obituary. He is home with his Lord and savior now. I will keep your entire family in prayer for His love, peace and comfort.
Jeff and Debi
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