Paul E Finner

Paul Emery Finner, 95 passed away Friday, February 14, 2020 at Hillview Health Care Center with his daughter by his side.

Paul was born, October 9, 1924 to Emil and Sophia (Latham) Finner in Arcadia, WI. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Maritime Service Merchant Marines. On June 27, 1949, Paul married Corlynn Krause of Fountain City. Paul & Corlynn raised their family in Alma, WI until moving to La Crosse in 1979.

Paul worked hard his entire life. First with his parents and siblings on the family farm in Glencoe township, WI. He loved to tell stories of sheering sheep for his father and neighbors and of fishing, trapping, hunting and ice skating along the Trempealeau river and surrounding hills. After returning from the war, Paul worked briefly at a trucking company in Winona, then for the IBEW in Eau Claire. In 1947 Paul joined Dairyland Power Cooperative helping to bring on-line all the Alma plants. He was later transferred to Dairyland’s corporate office in La Crosse serving as Director of Power Production until his retirement in 1990.

Both Paul & Corlynn loved spending time on the Mississippi and were active members of the local Coast Guard Auxiliary, often hosting river safety training courses at their home. Paul was always active in his churches; St. Paul & St. Luke United Church of Christ in Alma, and First Congregational UCC in La Crosse.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Mary Romnes and son Robert (Beverly) Finner, five grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, his younger brother Emil Finner of Madison, WI and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Corlynn, his parents, an infant brother Robert, two sisters Barbara Jean Griffin and Geraldine Ziegler, and his son-in-law Jon Romnes.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at First Congregational UCC in La Crosse. Pastor Kent Cormack will officiate. Burial will follow in Fountain City, WI. Friends may call on the family Monday evening from 5 until 7 P.M. at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel; 200 West Ave. So. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning at the church from 10 A.M. until the time of services.