Wilbert J. Fink

Wilbert J. Fink, age 76 of Belle Fourche, died suddenly on Wednesday July 20th, 2011 at the Spearfish Regional Hospital. Visitation will be held 3 to 5 pm Sunday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  A memorial service will be held 10am Monday July 25th, 2011 at St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche, with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating.  Interment will take place at 2pm Monday, at the Evangelical Brethren Church Cemetery, near Reeder, ND. Wilbert Jay Fink was born September 23, 1934 on the family homestead, 20 miles south of Reeder, North Dakota.  He was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Nuetz) Fink.  Wilbert grew up on the same homestead and he attended country schools in the area.  On December 28, 1957 he was united in marriage to Arlene Banning, in Hettinger, North Dakota.  To this union a son and a daughter were born: Scott and Dawn.  Following his marriage, Wilbert farmed and ranched for several years, after taking over the family operation from his parents.  Later, they moved into Reeder and Wilbert worked for the Southwest Machine Shop for several years.  In 1985, they moved into Belle Fourche where Wilbert worked for the City.  He retired in 1996.  For the past several years, Wilbert has managed the Hillsview Trailer Park, worked as a building manager at the Belle Fourche Community Center, and he had been driving school bus. There were a lot of things in life that Willie enjoyed.  His morning coffee with his friends at Lynn’s Dakotamart, playing cards with friends, and cooking and canning are a few.  He loved gardening and taking care of his yard.  Having a beautiful yard was his pride and joy, and he also had a great eye for interior decorating.  He took care of his wife as well, playing the role of “caregiver” many times.  Willie had a great sense of humor, and he loved to play around with his kids and grandkids.  He will be greatly missed by his wife and family. Wilbert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Arlene Fink of Belle Fourche; son, Scott Fink of Rapid City; daughter, Dawn (Matthew) Queen of Nisland; 2 grandsons, Jacob and Samuel; sister-in-law, Jeanette Hassebrock of Dickinson ND; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers; and 5 sisters. MEMORIAL SERVICE 10:00 A.M. – Monday – July 25th, 2011 Saint James Lutheran Church Belle Fourche, South Dakota OFFICIANT Pastor Jeff Otterman SPECIAL MUSIC Organist – Paula Speidel Soloist – Debra Leverington “In the Garden”, “How Great Thou Art” Recording – “Go Rest High on that Mountain” URN BEARERS Roger Rosenow                                                       Bill Schoon Bob Schnaible                                                John Thompson INURNMENT Evangelical Brethren Church Cemetery Harding County, South Dakota