Gwenice Finstad

Gwenice Finstad age 84, of Saint James, formerly of Springfield, MN died on February 9, 2023, at her home surrounded by family.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm with Rev. Robert Springer officiating.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James, Minnesota.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Gwenice (Toll) Finstad was born at the Springfield, MN hospital on January 17, 1939, to Lavis and Evelyn (Ladwig) Toll. She grew up on the family farm near Comfrey. When Gwenice was 15 she met Merlyn Finstad at the Springfield skating rink, launching a relationship that would span almost 70 years. Merlyn and Gwenice married in 1957 and started their family with the birth of their son Brian. In the following years they had two daughters, Deborah and Michelle, and raised their family on a farm they bought near Godahl.

Gwenice was a natural at sales, and during her life she sold Tupperware, Avon and radio advertising. She was also a gifted musician, gardener and interior decorator. She was a popular soloist for local weddings and church events, was the junior choir director at Albion Lutheran Church, and also sang in the adult choir. She was president of the Ladies Aid and taught Sunday bible school.

After her children grew up and life slowed down, she began to pursue her love of travel. She explored the world visiting China, Vietnam, Central America and Eastern Europe. The highlight of her travels and her life was traveling to Sweden to meet her cousins. She formed close friendships with those cousins and they visited her in Minnesota as well.

Gwenice enjoyed close ties with her cousins and siblings. She loved to entertain and host big family gatherings. She was proud of her home, her garden and her accomplishments.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years Merlyn; her son, Brian Finstad; daughters, Deborah Finstad (Mark Gebhart) and Michelle Finstad (Brian Lieb); granddaughters, Isabel Lieb and Elena Lieb; brother Bruce Toll and sister Carol Hoyem.