Marjory Joyce (Peggy) Odberg Finstad passed away Monday, December 15,
2025 at Linden Grove Nursing Home in Menomonee Falls, WI at the age of
92.
Peggy was born at home on the family farm on July 17, 1933, daughter
of Hilmer and Juanita (Wyman) Odberg in New Maine Township, MN. She
went to Newfolden Grade and High School. She lived with 3 brothers
and 2 sisters, Richard (Donna), Jack (died as a young child), Virginia
(Bob) Wander, Rebecca (Merle) Jesme, and Glenn (Karen). Peggy’s dad
worked for the railroad and they all worked hard and played hard on
the family farm.
Peggy met Rueben Finstad, the love of her life, at a country dance.
He often came to Dynamite Drive-In where she car-hopped to flirt with
her! She married Rueben Finstad in Thief River Falls, MN on February
25, 1954 while he was on leave from the Army . Peggy moved to Georgia
where Rueben was stationed, but when he was deployed to France, she
moved back to Thief River Falls. After discharge, Rueben and Peggy
moved to South Milwaukee, WI where they lived for 39 years.
Rueben and Peggy have 3 sons, David Finstad of Camp Douglas, WI, Bruce
Finstad, and Gary (Cindy) Finstad of Richfield, WI. They have 5
grandchildren, Byron Finstad, Macalah Finstad, Ali (Anthony) Collins,
Jade Finstad (Kevin Chalich), and Samantha (Austin) Orme, and 4 great
grandchildren, Byron Jr, Elsie Collins, Daphne Collins, and Jordan
Orme.
Once living in South Milwaukee, Peggy worked at a grocery store where
she met many lifelong friends. Then once the kids arrived, she stayed
at home. She later worked at Bucyrus-Erie for 18 years as a shipping
clerk. They purchased a weekend get-away trailer in Camp Douglas, and
after retirement, sold the trailer and purchased a home in Camp
Douglas. She and Rueben were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in
South Milwaukee, and St. Peter’s Church in Camp Douglas. After
Rueben's death in 2021, Peggy moved to assisted living in West Bend to
be near Gary, Cindy and the grandkids when diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Peggy was small but mighty (Gary affectionately called her 5 foot of
terror). Peggy loved arts and crafts, to paint ceramics, all her fur
babies, to go to church circle with her friends, and never passed up a
cup of coffee or a cookie. Heaven has gained an Angel, but she will
leave a huge hole in the hearts of her family. She will be cremated
and laid to rest at a date TBD in Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden, MN.