Geneva Finstad

Geneva Kathryn (Allen) Finstad, 88, of Cranfills Gap, passed away peacefully at her residence surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 11, 2023, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Cranfills Gap. Interment will follow at Rock Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Geneva Kathryn Allan Finstad went to meet her Lord and Savior August 8, 2023, from her home.

Geneva was born outside Clifton, TX on May 14, 1935.  She was the first baby delivered by Dr. Goodall that he actually received a payment for the delivery.

She was baptized at the Rock Church in 1935 and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Cranfills Gap, TX

Geneva and Guy Finstad were together from the time they were 14 and 15 years old and were married for 70 years.

Geneva and Guy had four children, Sherry Gay, Garry Shay, Terry Ray, and Barry Jay.  Guy finished up his schooling and took the Agriculture teaching job in Maypearl, TX.  After two years the family moved to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch northwest of Amarillo.  Guy taught agriculture and was the farm and ranch manager.  Geneva was a dorm mother, worked in the Country Store where the boys purchased clothes and other items, and then transferred to the agriculture depart as their secretary.  After spending 20 years at Boys Ranch, Geneva and Guy moved to Austin to work for a state senator.  Geneva was the senator’s administrative secretary for 8 years and after the senator ran for Congress, Geneva and Guy moved to Washington D.C. to work for the congressman for 2 years.

After moving back to Texas Geneva spend most of her time in Cranfills Gap, taking care of grandchildren, her elderly parents, the Norwegian Society, and the Norwegian Christmas tours, she even ran for a congressional seat.  Geneva was a woman of many interests and many talents.

After Geneva and Guy were both retired and settled at the Gap they both had a love for their church that drove them to a desire to restore the Rock Church to its original beauty.  Thus began the fundraisers and a church community coming together to make the restoration a reality.  It further led to the building of a much needed Gathering Place that came together so beautifully with a bride's dressing room, restrooms, and a kitchen has wonderfully served the church during weddings, funerals and all events at the Rock Church.

Geneva was preceded in death by her loving husband Guy, her parents Charlie B. and Ruth Allen, grandchildren Lexie Shay Finstad, Tracy Mae Finstad, and Cole McCown.

She is survived by daughter Sherry and husband Jimmie Boatwright, sons Garry Finstad and partner Noel Navas, Terry and wife Kathy Finstad, Barry and wife Jennifer Finstad, grandchildren Tammy Finstad, Kiley and husband Jason Sawchak, Chance Finstad, E.J. Roberts and wife Julie, Shanna and husband Mike Creech, Avery Finstad, Casey Finstad and Dr. Cara Finstad and ten great-grandchildren.  A brother Wayne Allen and wife Linda, a sister Phyllis and husband Ed Rieser.  Geneva had numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and many wonderful friends.

Geneva and Guy enjoyed many years of retirement on their ranch with their family and always welcomed friends and extended family to visit and enjoy the life in the country.   Through the years they were very active in raising quarter horses that several of their grandchildren competed on at rodeos.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials are made to the Rock Church Cemetery Scattering Garden fund, P.O. Box 148, Cranfills Gap, TX 76637 or the Finstad Scholarship fund at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch Alumni Association, P.O. Box 9435, Amarillo, TX 79105.

Pallbearers are: E.J. Roberts, Chance Finstad, Casey Finstad, Jason Sawchak, Mike Creech, Jim Canada.

Honorary pallbearers are her great-grandchildren, Teryn, Signe, Presley, Beckham, Dally, Makayla, Peyton, Pecos, Cinco, and Maudie.