Dr. John R. "Doc" Finkner

You could not travel far without running into someone, or someone who knew someone, who had been delivered by Dr. John Richard (Dick) Finkner. Until he passed away on June 9, 2025 at the age of 98, John, a Minden physician for over 50 years, was known for his part in keeping the community’s population stable. Born March 24, 1927 at home near Adams, Nebraska to John Adam Finkner and Viola Wilhelmina Rapp, John was baptized at the rural Hopewell Church, which is still active today. The son of hardworking farmers, John remembered sleigh riding, skating, and shucking corn by hand after school. At Adams High, he met his future wife, Phyllis Jeanne Hefti. They were a good match: Phyllis fiery and outgoing, John calm and a little bit shy. Motoring around in John’s Model "A" Ford, they enjoyed attending church activities and an occasional movie. Dancing was forbidden, so John installed an old radio in the car so they could listen to Guy Lombardo. After graduation, John attended the University of Nebraska to study pre-med, living at the Brown Palace Cooperative. But, as it did in the lives of so many of John’s generation, World War II intervened. He enlisted in the Navy where he served stateside as a hospital corpsmen until the war ended. At his death, John was Kearney County’s longest living WWII Veteran, recently recognized by the Governor for his service to his country. After taking his final college exam in the morning, John and Phyllis were married in Adams the evening of June 4, 1948. John then earned his medical degree on the GI bill. They subsequently moved to Minden where he set up practice in 1954 with his longtime friend and classmate, Robert E. Butler. The men’s families become fast friends, sharing everything from camping to Christmas, and even international excursions after their children had left the nest. As a member of the Minden Rotary Club, Oddfellows, and the United Methodist Church, John had his hand on the community’s physical, civic, and religious pulse. True to his roots, he bought a farm northeast of Minden in the late 1950’s on a hand-shake transaction with the Sinsel family, who still farm the ground today. Family was important to John, and the young brood’s vacations included western dude ranches and fishing spots interspersed with trips to cabins in Estes Park, Colorado Springs, and once as far as Disneyland, camper in tow. John spent his time off on the Minden Golf course or fishing at Harlan Lake or Lake McConaughy. In the winter he was found, or rather concealed, in his blind on the Platte River pursuing his favorite trophy, the then elusive Canadian goose. John is survived by his four children, Mike & Kathy Finkner of Kearney, ZoAnne & Dennis Kunnemann of Imperial, Matthew & Ann Finkner and Sara & Dennis Mann, all of Lincoln. He will be missed by his sisters Marlene Veerhusen and Sharon Walker as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Grandpa enjoyed keeping track of his 13 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Lee and three brothers-in-law. Now he meets Phyllis again – she no doubt still fiery and outgoing, John still calm and a little bit shy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Minden United Methodist Church with Rev. Peter Choi officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube page. Interment will be held following the service at the Minden Cemetery with military honors presented by the Minden American Legion, Heartwell Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the United States Navy Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service times at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Doc’s honor are kindly suggested to the Finkner High School Scholarships Fund, in care of the family. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

Dr. John R. "Doc" Finkner

March 24, 1927 - June 9, 2025