Elinor W. Finke

Elinor W. Finke, 92, of Independence, died June 30, 2006 at her home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday at Speaks Suburban Chapel from 6-8 P.M. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 1:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Independence. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Memory Gardens in Independence. Elinor was born on February 18, 1914 in Levasy, Missouri the daughter of Ernst F. and Amanda (Uthlaut) Stoenner. She was raised in Levasy and was a 1939 graduate of the Research School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse having worked for the Johnson County Health Department, as a private duty nurse and at Independence Regional Hospital and the Medical Center of Independence. She married Louis E. Finke in Levasy, Missouri on July 5, 1942. They shared many wonderful years together and enjoyed vegetable and rose gardening. She and her husband were awarded the Salvation Army Volunteers of the Year award and grew extra vegetables to donate to this worthy cause. She was a Master Gardener and was a charter member and past president of the Ellswood Meadows Gardening Club. Elinor enjoyed fishing, reading, and sewing. She made doll clothes, bibs for newborns, lap blankets for nursing homes and quilts. Elinor was a member of the First Baptist Church for 55 years, and was a Sunday School Teacher for over 25 years making sure that all her children enjoyed a birthday cake made by her. She always put her family first and was very active with her boys in the Cub Scouts where she served as a Den Mother. Mrs. Finke is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, three sons; Dr. Raymond H. Finke and wife Susan of Richmond, Mo., Dr. Gerald E. Finke and wife Marcia of Lee�s Summit, Mo., Ronald C. Finke and wife Karen of Independence, a sister, Frieda L. Dothage of Lee�s Summit, Mo., a brother, Dr. Herbert G. Stoenner and wife Madge of Hamilton, Montana; nine grandchildren; Dr. Bryan A. Finke and wife Beth of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Dr. Anne L. Morgan and husband Pat of Lee�s Summit, Mo., Dr. Marc E. Finke and wife Becky of Overland Park, Ks., Paige M. Smith and husband Garrick of Kansas City, Mo., Gregory C. Finke of Independence, Meredith R. Teter and husband Matt of Kansas City, Mo., Joseph K. Finke and wife Whitney of Norman, OK., Elizabeth A. Scholes and husband Conor of Langley, OK., and Dr. David L. Finke of Los Angeles, CA., and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a sister, Selma M. Stoenner, and two brothers, Armin A. Stoenner and Dr. Alfred H. Stoenner. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army or to the Missouri Baptist Children�s Home.