Carolyn “Putzie” Finck

Carolyn Niedner Finck                    March 3, 1924 – August 17, 2017 (93 years, 5 months, 14 days)

Dorothea Carolyn Niedner Finck, a life-long resident of St. Charles, Missouri, was born on March 3, 1924, the youngest of six children of The Rev. Dr. Frederic and Mrs. Dorothea Anna Susanna (Schroeter) Niedner. Her parents, four brothers, Robert, Paul, Walter, Frederick, and one sister, Virginia (Cortese) have preceded her in death. Carolyn was best known by the name “Putzie,” a German word meaning “Little One,” affectionately given to her by her family when she was a small child. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School, St. Charles High School, and Lindenwood College.

On June 18, 1944, Carolyn married Walter August H. Finck and began sharing his life and work in St. Charles at Jersey Farm Dairy on Randolph Street. Together Carolyn and Walter raised four children. Over the years, Carolyn also worked as substitute teacher in St. Charles public schools and from 1965 until 1981 she was a Welcome Wagon Hostess in her hometown. Carolyn was baptized, confirmed, educated and active at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles, living in the parsonage with her family for her first twenty-years. In 1959, Carolyn and Walter, along with their children, became charter members of the new-forming Our Savior Lutheran Church in St. Charles. She remained active in her membership there until the time of her death and was especially involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) on the local, zone, and district levels much of her adult life. She took on many other commitments, activities and involvements with her church, including the Women’s Guild, Reading Circle, Walther League, Sunday School, Mothers’ Club, and numerous positions on various board and committees. She volunteered with St. Joseph Hospital as a cancer patient driver and with the Lifeline distribution program.

Carolyn’s husband Walter preceded her in death in October of 2006. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Robert (Judy) Finck of Fenton, MO; Murray (Rhoda) Finck of Santa Ana, CA; Philip (Sue) Finck of St. Charles, MO, and Carol (Randy) Knipp of Kansas City, MO. Carolyn has eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Carolyn died peacefully in the evening of August 17, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the LWML of Our Savior Lutheran Church (2800 West Elm, St. Charles, Mo 63301). A memorial service of thanksgiving for the life of Carolyn (Putzie) Niedner Finck will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church on September 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception and meal. Condolences and communications to the Fincks and Knipps may be sent to Carolyn’s Family, 2241 St. Andrew Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301-4493.