Michael P. Finbraaten, 40

Michael P. Finbraaten, age 40, of Adams, died from complications due to a farm accident on Saturday, March 22, 2003, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

He was born Feb. 20, 1963, in Rochester, Minn., to Robert and Mary (Scharberg) Finbraaten. He graduated from Southland High School in 1981 and from Mankato State University in 1985. He returned home where he began working for the Farmers State Bank of Adams and Rose Creek. He also continued to farm on his family farm.

After an extensive courtship, he married Sue Golombowski on July 16, 1994, in Johnsburg, Minn. In 1996, Michael became president and majority owner of the two branches of the bank.

He was a member of the Little Cedar Lutheran Church in Adams and served on the church board, a board member of the Mower County United Way, a member of the Cattlemen's Association, and served as a volunteer fireman for the Adams Fire Department. Mike was involved in many things: lead singer for the group "The Bankers," a member of "The Traveling Idiots," "The Great 8," and was part owner of the "Schafinski" Pontoon.

He loved his wife and kids, his cows, running, and farming. He was generous, quick-witted, and a friend to all.

The family requests that people wear casual and "fun" attire to the funeral service at the church and in lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Mike Finbraaten Scholarship fund.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 27, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. at Little Cedar Lutheran Church with the Rev. Shari A. Mason and the Rev. Gregory Leif officiating. Interment will be in the Marshall Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Adams Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and at the church on Thursday one hour before the service.

Pianist will be Laura Freund. Casket bearers will be the members of The Great 8: Douglas Finbraaten, Steve Golombowski, David Golombowski, Kevin Blake, Mark Reinartz, Jim Douty and Ron Koenigs.

Michael is survived by his wife: Sue (Suzanne) Finbraaten of Adams, Minn.; son: Nick Finbraaten of Adams, Minn.; daughter: Meg Finbraaten of Adams, Minn.; parents: Robert and Mary Finbraaten of Adams, Minn.; sister and brother-in-law: Ruth and Cole Carson of Fairbanks, Alaska; brother: Douglas Finbraaten of Robbinsdale, Minn.; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Stephen and Colette Golombowski of Johnsburg, Minn.; nieces and nephews.