Friends and family celebrate Finke’s 95th birthday

Frieda Finke turned 95 years young on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, and festivities for the event began on Saturday, Aug. 14 when grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to her home for an early celebration. Those attending were Andrew and Kelly Finke, Debbie and Amelia Rowe, Kathy and Kamden Hill and their mother, Cheryl Stagner, all of Des Moines.

On her birthday, the 18th, visitors were Pam Finke of Nichols, Cindy Finke, Jabe and Dana Finke, Tynley and Gunner, all of Winfield, Jan Rees and Pat Rees of Columbus Junction., and Scott and Jeanne Davis, Jason and Lexi Collier, Donna Fletcher and Billie Jo Rose of Crawfordsville. She received many cards and phone calls from family and friends, and she wants everyone to know how much she appreciated and enjoyed everything.

The evening of her birthday, many family members and friends gathered at the United Church of Crawfordsville and surprised her, and treated her to a drive-by parade, led by the firetruck and even featured a motorcycle and golf cart in the group to wish her a Happy Birthday!

On Friday evening, the 20th, family members Bill and Cindy Finke, Barb and Phil Deats and Scott and Jeanne Davis took her out to dinner to conclude a very busy week.

Century Farm Award

Randy and Linda Finke received the Century Farm Award at the Iowa State Fair. Randy is the fourth generation to have owned the farm. In 1916, his great-grandfather, William Finke purchased the farm and in 1964 his grandfather, Silas Finke, Sr. and grandmother, Velda, purchased the farm from a family trust and moved there in 1966.

Silas, Sr. passed away in 71 and Silas, Jr. (Jay) and Audrey bought it in 1972 and moved there in 1983. Jay passed in 2002 and Randy and Linda bought the house in 2003 and moved that year to the home place. They then purchased the farm from his mother, Audrey Finke in 2020.

Charity Steer Show

The Iowa Governor's 39th annual Charity Steer Show featured 24 Iowa Steer Exhibitors.

The Grand Champion Steer "Nelson" shown by Jeff Angelo of iHeart Radio personality/ WHO Radio celebrity and exhibited by Lane Elmquist was sponsored by Iowa Bankers Association and purchased by friends and family of Lane and the Audubon Community. Proceeds went to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Lane is the 13-year-old son of Joe and Brittany Elmquist of Audubon. He has been involved in baseball, football, wrestling and livestock judging. Showing pigs is also one of Lane's passions, along with cattle.

Local grandparents are Scott and Laurie Pemberton of Washington, and Joe and Luetta Greene of Crawfordsville.

Horse Show

Local 4-H’er, Zoey Dennler, daughter of Darren and Karen Dennler, took part in the 4-H Horse Show at the Iowa State Fair with four other Washington County 4-H’ers and earned two purples and three blues in the classes she participated in.

She returned to the fair with Larry and Tammy Lowe and showed in the Open Mini Horse Show. She received first in Showmanship, second in Jumping and fourth in the Costume Contest with Larry and Tammy's grandson, Easton. He was Superman, Zoey was Supergirl and the Horse was Batman.