Obituary of Margaret Finn

Margaret Finn, the daughter of James and Bessie Kate (Shelley) Van Baren, was born May 5, 1923 in Prairie City, Iowa. She graduated from the Newton Senior High School with the class of 1940. On July 18, 1943, Margaret was united in marriage with Robert James Finn at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in rural Newton, Iowa. Margaret had worked for the Maytag Company; J.C. Penny’s in Newton; the Newton Sale Barn and Colfax Livestock Sales Auction. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Reasnor United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi, and the BB Club. Margaret enjoyed her family, gardening, and every aspect of farm life. Margaret died on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Heritage Manor in Newton. She was 90 years old. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert Finn; a daughter, Joyce Tharp; a brother in infancy, James Robert Van Baren; and a sister, Dorothy Zickel. Those left to honor Margaret’s memory include her son, Jim Finn of Liberty, Missouri; her daughters, Judy (Andy) Meese of Houston, Texas and Joanne (Don) Finn-Winton of Newton, Iowa; her eight grandchildren; her seven great grandchildren with her eighth to arrive any day; her great-great grandson; and her faithful dog and companion Harley. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 18th at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends following the service for coffeetime. Memorials may be designated in Margaret’s name to Skiff Hospice or the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society and may be left at the funeral home.