Donald ‘Larry’ Finkbeiner
1948 – 2024
Donald Larry Finkbeiner, better known as Larry, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2024 in Castor, Alta. at the age of 75.
Larry was born Dec. 6, 1948 to Herbert and Helen Finkbeiner in Coronation, Alta. He was the eldest of five children.
Larry attended the early years of school in Veteran and the latter in Consort. Larry met and married Lorna in 1968 and to this union three daughters were born, Tracey, Connie and Paula.
Over their 32 years of marriage, Larry worked for many, such as the Heistad General Store, Jack Cole and MacLeod’s, and eventually the Co-Op.
In 1982 Larry and Lorna purchased a grocery store of their own, Larry’s Family Foods, which became a successful venture for them providing for their family.
Shortly after selling their store to Rod and Linda Klassen, Lorna was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 2000, cutting their dreams of retirement together short.
Larry was fortunate though to find another special person with which to enjoy his later years and would marry Shirley in 2002.
Larry loved to dance, camp, hunt and fish. His community involvement in Coronation consisted of the Elks, Volunteer Fire Department, Justice of the Peace, Ducks Unlimited, Member of the Coronation Evangelical Free Church and the Model Airplane Club.
Larry will be lovingly remembered by his three daughters, Tracey (Lee) Twa; Connie (Davis) Cox and Paula (Shawn) Kobi and 7 grandchildren, Danea (Dorjan) Helmeczi, Shania Twa, Kennedy (Kieran) Rost, Maleigha Cox, Aiden Kobi, Keirsen Kobi and Caleb Kobi; and two great-grandchildren Eliza Cox and Liam Rost.
Larry is also survived by Shirley’s children, Lisa (Brent) Brookes and Lester Vallevand, along with two grandchildren Shelby (Josh) Hall and Heidi LaRose and one great-grandchild, Everly Hall.
Larry is also survived by his sisters, Linda Northcott and Debbie Herbert, and brother-in-law Ed Zatorski; as well as Lorna’s brother’s Jack (Louise) Petersen, Don (Maryanne) Petersen, Larry (Aldina) Petersen and sister-in-law Rita Petersen and brother-in-law Ted Coatham; as well as many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Larry was predeceased by his wives, Lorna and Shirley and his parents Herbert and Helen Finkbeiner as well as parents-in-law, Jack and Edna Petersen.
Larry was also predeceased by his brother Robert “Bob” Finkbeiner and sister Laura Zatorski; brother-in-law Ed Petersen, and sister-in-law Dorothy Coatham.
A Celebration Of Life was held on Sat. June 8, 2024 at 2 p.m. in the Trinity United Church, Coronation, Alta. with Pastor Clayton Grice of the Coronation Evangelical Free Church officiating.
A private family interment took place before the service.
Memorial donations in Larry’s memory may be sent to the Coronation BPO Elks, Coronation Fire Department or Paintearth Lodge at Castor, Alta.
Condolences may be forwarded to the Finkbeiner family by visiting www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com.
Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium of Coronation, Alta. were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 403-578-3777 or toll free 1-888-882-3141.
