Orla M. Finney Marie Malley

New Hope, MN – Memorial Service is Tuesday, March 14th, 11 am, visitation one hour prior. (A livestream will be available.) New Hope Church, 4225 Gettysburg Ave. N, New Hope, MN 55428.

Orla Marie Finney Malley, 90, of Maple Grove, MN, formerly of Lake Shore, MN and Waterloo, IA, left us on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, for her heavenly home to see her Lord and Savior.

She was born January 31, 1933 in Hackensack, MN, the daughter of Ora & Gladys Brant, and was the third born of nine children. Born at home weighing four pounds, she wasn't expected to live so her mom put her in a box with a blanket and told the older children they could hold her as much as they wanted to. Perhaps it was this extra love that helped her survive and thrive to ninety years old!

Orla graduated from West Waterloo High School and attended Northwestern Bible College in Minneapolis, MN, working for the Dean of Men while also lettering in basketball.

Orla married Daren J. Finney, October 24, 1953 in Waterloo, IA and together they had five children: Cindy McMurray, Maple Grove, MN, (Lisa (Matt) Marjama, Elli, Tucker) (Ryan Rindels (Mariah Ozruh) Kasan, Payton, Evren); Brenda & JR Mater, Silverton, TX, (Jeanne Marie (Kevin) Goss, Mason, Ashley, Katlyn, Kari, Corbyn); Craig & Mary Jo Finney, Hopkins, MN, (Matthew Finney (Larice Fournier) Mattice) (Jacob Finney (Lauren Pickard) Anastasia Jo, Courtney, Riley); Donald & Danna Finney, Anoka, MN, (Donald Jr. (Maia) Finney, Isabel) (Diana Finney); and Brian Finney, Brainerd, MN, (Tanner, Daren). They also helped raise many foster children including brothers, Lonnie (Linda) Wolff, Waterloo, IA, and Lance (Pam) Wolff of Warrenton, VA, (Nathan Wolff (Susan Petra Vicidomini) Ethan, Declan, Jett) who stayed for ten years and is considered by all another son.

Her employment over the years includes the U.S. Forest Service, Waterloo Courier, Rath Packing Co., John Deere Tractor Co., Sears Telephone Catalog Sales, and finally retiring from an administrative position at Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo.

She was best known for her homemade bread and desserts, cooking, gardening and canning, embroidered flour sack towels, crocheted blankets and quilts. She could play the piano, write poems, sew clothing, and has made a treasured Christmas ornament for each family member for decades. Orla loved playing games, singing hymns, camping and traveling with family. She excelled at everything she did but the role of serving her family and friends was where her heart was. She gave the best of herself to those she loved.

Orla lived a selfless and godly life, radiating the love of Jesus with a heart of kindness and compassion to everyone she knew. She hosted the Good News Club in her home, taught Sunday School and Pioneer Girls, and for decades was an AWANA leader at Grace Baptist Church, Waterloo, IA. She was involved with several outreach ministries: Eve's Quilts, Pequot Lakes Baptist Church, and most recently, Knitters & Stitchers, New Hope Church.

Orla was always an optimist. When asked lately, "How are you doing today?", her reply along with a beautiful smile was invariably, "I've been better … but I've also been worse." The family is heartbroken to say goodbye to this amazing lady but we know where she lives now and look forward to that glorious reunion one day!

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren; brothers, Harry (Jo) Brant, Waterloo, IA; John (Marilyn) Brant, St. George, UT; a sister, Dolly Thomson, Salem, AR; and many other nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, Daren Finney (2008); sisters, Irene Brant, Myrna Stanley; brothers, Howard Brant, Larry Brant, and Robert Brant; and her most recent spouse of seven years, Donald Malley (2017).

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to: KNITTERS & STITCHERS c/o New Hope Church, New Hope, MN; EVE'S QUILTS c/o Pequot Lakes Baptist Church, Pequot Lakes, MN; or AWANA CLUBS c/o Grace Baptist Church, Waterloo, IA.