SPEARFISH — Madeline Adeline (New) Finnerty, 100, was greeted with the open arms of God the Father and all those gone before her on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Visitation is 5 p.m. today, April 5, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish. Vigil will follow at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at the church. The burial will take place at Restlawn Memory Garden in Huron on Monday, April 8 at 2 p.m.
Madeline was born on December 21, 1923, to Andrew and Ellen (Burke) New in Gettysburg.
She and her family moved to the Rockham and Zell areas, where her family lived on various farmsteads during her childhood years. She graduated from Redfield High School in 1942 and married Lawrence James Finnerty on June 13, 1942, in San Diego, Calif.
While in San Diego, the couple welcomed son, Lawrence (Larry) in 1943 and daughter, Sandra (Sandy) in 1946. The couple returned to Redfield, in 1946 and then moved to Huron in 1952. In 1960, the couple welcomed daughter, Debra (Deb).
Madeline was a woman known for her faith and tenacity – she was an overcomer who knew the Lord would always be with her in this journey called life. She was known for her cooking and baking abilities, as her family and friends can attest. Her famous fried chicken, roast beef and of course German dishes were savored. She loved music, dancing, lilacs, and the color lavender. She played the cello in the school orchestra and was in girls’ glee.
Madeline and Lawrence were known to “cut a rug” on the dance floor and even won a jitterbug contest while living in San Diego, as they danced to the Glenn Miller Band. Madeline worked at the JC Penney company in Huron for 25 years as the head of the ladies clothing department and retired in 1986. This position suited her as she always had a flair for fashion and was known as a stylish gal who knew how to accessorize!
She was a member of the Riverside Al-anon group for 30 years and served on the St. Martins altar society. Madeline moved to Spearfish in 2004 where she has resided until the time of her death.
Madeline loved her family and did much to show this in her life. Her family was honored to celebrate her 100th birthday this past year and marveled at her continued zest for life.
She is survived by her son, Larry Finnerty of San Diego and daughter, Deb (Dan) Cooper of Spearfish, grandchildren, Dan (Tina) Finnerty, John (Liz) Finnerty, Mark Finnerty, Kate (Gabe) Finnerty McDowell, Emily (Aaron) Walter Jorgenson, Lauren (Kameron) Walter Milne; Great-grandchildren, Jill Finnerty, Danielle Wiese, Erin Finnerty, Bree Howe, Chandler Howe, Eliza Jorgenson, and Tenleigh Milne.
Madeline is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lawrence in 1983 and her beloved daughter, Sandy in 2000 and great-grandson, Ben Finnerty in 2023. Also gone before her were her parents and brothers, Lawrence and Fred Arthur New.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com