Mike Finke

A private family service will be held at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Life open house at the home of Mandi & Cory Swain is planned for September 12th at 2 – 5 PM in honor of PurpleStride virtual walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Join our team at https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/PurpleStride/PurpleStride?team_id=26221&pg=team&fr_id=2053

Michael “Mike” H. Finke, 74, of Meridian, Idaho, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020. He was born on December 22, 1945 in Wenatchee, Washington to Harold and Edith (Ames) Finke.

Mike graduated from Ephrata High School where he was active in FFA and was a proud Washington State Cougar, receiving a degree in Agronomy. He served his country in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971 and was active in Vietnam with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He became one of the nation’s foremost authorities on Alfalfa seed, working in the seed industry for over 30 years. He started a one-man office in Nampa and built it into a successful seed plant. He worked with farmers in several states and countries including Puerto Rico, France, and Chile. He was instrumental in working with the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Mike and Sher married May 24, 1987 and became a blended family, living in Nampa until retiring and the moved to Meridian.

Mike’s hobbies included being the Co- Director for Idaho National Teenager pageant, Board Member and Set Designer for Mrs. Idaho America, Bass fishing tournaments, woodworking, cheering on the BSU Broncos (except when they played against the Cougars), and playing Pokémon Go with his best friend/wife Sher. He always attended any activity related to his grandchildren and never missed a soccer game, football game, cheer competition, go-kart race, dance recital, scouting event, or school program. His granddaughter Aly dubbed him “Pa-parazzi” since he was always there to take photos of every activity. It is no surprise, two of Mike’s favorite places on earth were trips to Disney World and Disneyland with his family and grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared his life -his beloved wife Sher of Meridian; son Bill (Julie) Finke of Star; daughters Tara (Ted) Coe of Star, Mandi (Cory) Swain of Eagle, Susan (Paul) Marler of Nampa, and Robin (Joe) Carpenter of Boise; brothers John of Seattle, WA, Robert of Ellensberg, WA, and Howard of Ephrata, WA; and his eight fantastic grandchildren, John, Jacob, Katy, Alyson, Blake, Matthew, Emma, and Megan.

Mike is welcomed home by his loving parents Edith and Harold Finke, his in-laws Tom and Toni Hughes and John Dandeneau.

The family requests in lieu of flowers - join our team or make donations to https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/PurpleStride/PurpleStride?team_id=26221&pg=team&fr_id=2053