Gail Finke

Mrs. Gail Armatys Finke, 54, passed away Friday, May 8, 2009 at her home. Visitation will be Sunday, May 10 at Nobles Funeral Chapel and funeral services are set for 3:00 pm Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Navasota with Rev. Don Kasper officiating. Interment will follow in Friedens Church Cemetery in Washington.
Gail was born September 17, 1954 in Navasota, to Andrew and Irene Armatys. She married Loyd Finke on June 9, 1973 in Navasota. She loved children, horses and ranching.
"Gail was a caring, loyal individual who loved her family and her animals. Although she grew up a "tomboy", she was a lady in every sense of the word. She was the "son" her parents never had as she liked working outside with her dad, helping take care of outdoor things and the animals on the farm or ranch wherever they lived.
When she got married she was concerned that she could not cook because she had not spent any time in the house learning "girl" things, but she became a very good, loving wife, mother, and cook. She dedicated herself to those she loved and did as much for them as she possibly could. She was tireless, fearless, and would attempt to do whatever needed to be done. She had a strong faith being brought up from childhood in the Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School at Salem Lutheran in White Hall for several years.
As a young lady she loved horses and tried her hand at barrel racing, but never competed professionally. It was just fun for her and because of her love for animals, she spent many years working with show animals as her children were participants at county fairs and shows locally and around the state. She hauled her children and their animals all over Texas. For many years she worked tireless hours for the Grimes County Fair Association as well as working on the weekends at the Navasota Livestock Auction. She could tell you when an animal was sick and she knew what to give them to make them better. She passed her love for animals on to her children.
She was also a good sister, aunt and friend, always ready to lend a helping hand when and where needed. It was very important to her to see her children get a good education and she worked hard to make sure they were able to attend their chosen University in order to obtain a higher education.
It can be best stated that she was "cool" and she supported her family and always put them first in her life. Even when she became very ill she never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her. She maintained a positive attitude and never complained about her circumstances and what life she was dealt. To the family who loved her, she was their heroine." (by: Margaret E. (Maggie) Finke)
She is survived by her husband; daughters, Jodi Gwen Finke and Kodi Lyn Finke of Navasota; son, Sloan Matthew Finke of Navasota; sister, Connie Griffin and husband Johnnie of Dobbin; sister's-in-law, Margaret Finke and Tootie Finke, both of Navasota; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Finke and wife Brenda of Navasota.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Barbara Finke; brother-in-law, Rayburn Finke; and parents-in-law, Gus and Alvina Finke.
Serving as pallbearers were James Armatys, Mark Shimshack, Quinn Hanson, Chris Finke, Chad Ross, all of Navasota, Don Henderson of Groesbeck, David Boenker of Washington, and Carl Schroeder of Anderson.