Orvin LeRoy Finsaas, 78, of Fairview, passed away at Sidney Health Center on Saturday, October 28, 2017.
Orvin was born on November 9th, 1938 to parents Olaf and Julia Finsaas. He married Judy McMorris on April 25th, 1958 at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Sidney, MT and they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage together. In his early years, Orvin worked as a truck driver for North American Van Lines and also spent many years as an employee for Holly Sugar Factory in Sidney. Shortly after his dad's death in 1963, he took over the family farm and expanded it in 1980 when he bought more land. He continued to farm until his retirement in 2003.
Orvin served as an active member of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Board, McKenzie County Soil Conservation Board, president of the Fairview Senior Housing Board, and Sugar Beet Director. He also regularly attended and was involved with Watford City Assembly of God.
Some of his hobbies included playing guitar and banjo, camping, and fishing. He often looked forward to taking his 1936 Ford Coupe to car shows and driving it in the Fairview Old Timer's parade. In his spare time, you could also find him in town enjoying a cup of coffee with the area farmers.
Perhaps Orvin's biggest passion and one of the areas of his life where his love for Christ was reflected most brightly, was through his ministry of music, which he passed on to his children and later his grandchildren. He instilled this gift in his children by teaching them to sing and play music at a young age. As a family, they ministered together in church and often performed for special events and occasions. He also enjoyed having impromptu jam sessions in his home, as well as playing his guitar for the residents at the Lodge and Extended Care in Sidney. He took pleasure in traveling to Minnesota to join and play guitar with his son, Jerry, and grandchildren for many of their performances over the years.
He is survived by: his wife, Judy Finsaas of Fairview, MT; two sons, Jerry (Cindy) Finsaas of New London, MN and Craig (Shawna) Finsaas of Fairview MT; daughter, Kristine (Lynn) Beyerle of Sidney, MT; sister, Lila Joseph of La Mirada, CA; 15 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Clarence, Joe, Norman, Marvin, Lloyd, Ernie, and Raymond Finsaas; his parents, Olaf and Julia Finsaas; his infant daughter, Tamra Jo Finsaas; and his daughter-in-law, Cherri Finsaas.

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