Bessie Edna (Bates) Finley

ST. IGNATIUS — Bessie Edna (Bates) Finley, 98, was born the only child to Platte and Mabel Bates in Minden, Neb., on March 24, 1908. She had one adopted brother, Robert Stewart. She married Claude E. Finley in Buffalo, Wyo., on May 20, 1928, and graduated from high school the following year with a perfect average in arithmetic.

Claude and Bessie ranched in Wyoming and were blessed with four children.

In 1952, they moved to St. Ignatius where she was employed for years at the Catholic hospital. They moved to Ronan in 1965 where they operated a private convalescent home.

Claude died on March 15, 1977, and Bessie continued to run the home until she was 83 years old.

Bessie was a tough minded, hard working woman and taught her children to be the same. Her most enjoyable hours were the ones spent in her garden. She spent the last few years of her life at the Lily of the Valley home and died on Jan. 29, 2007.

Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, Platte and Mabel Bates; her husband Claude; daughter Claudia and grandson James Finley.

She is survived by Loy Finley of Morristown, Fla.,., Ray Finley of St. Ignatius, and Wanda (Herb) Blakeman of Hot Springs; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and eight great-great- grandchildren. She will be missed by her family and friends and we wish her God’s speed.

A funeral service was held Feb. 1 in the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in St. Ignatius with graveside services in Buffalo, Wyo. on Feb. 2.