Delores Finley

Delores (Bergtoll) Finley of Billings, Mont., passed away peacefully in her sleep in Mesa, Ariz., on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at the age of 90.

Per her request, there will be no service.

She was born to Anna (Honrud) and Charles Bergtoll in Opheim, Mont., on May 24, 1927. She was born a farmer's daughter but grew up a city girl. After graduating from Opheim High School, she moved to Havre to attend Northern Montana College

It was in Havre that she met Dell Finley at a dance and later married on April 6, 1947. They shared an amazing and full life together for 70 years. Together they literally built their first home with the help of Dell's father.

She worked for eight years at the Agriculture and Soil Conservation (ASC) service keeping her hands linked to the Montana land.

She and Dell moved to Billings in 1961 seeking more opportunities in a bigger city. She was a career woman ahead of her time. While in Billings, she worked at the Montana State Motor Vehicle licensing department for 25 years. Many people were exposed to her friendliness, attention to detail and exemplary customer service. People often chose to stand in a longer line just to be served by Delores. After 30 years of retirement, she was recently recognized by a past customer! She was truly a memorable lady: loving, caring and outgoing.

From the beginning of their marriage, they loved to travel. Taking advantage of Dell's business trips, they traveled to Spain, Portugal, Mexico, North Africa, Hong Kong, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Travel highlights included celebrating her 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries on ocean cruises with her family.

For many years they split time between their Billings home, on the Stillwater River cabin and RVing. A crushing emotional blow came when they lost the cabin to the 2006 Derby fire. As snowbirds, they have been residing at Carriage Manor Resort in Mesa for the last 29 years. Carriage Manor life tremendously expanded their network of friends, keeping them active, involved and young at heart.

She loved her sweets so she naturally enjoyed baking (she made the best pies). She liked socializing, dancing, country music, clothes shopping, couponing, going to garage sales and staying up to date on her family. She would tell the most humorous and animated stories.

She is predeceased by siblings Betty Larsen of Bellevue, Wash., and Aldon Bergtoll of Glasgow.

She is survived by her husband Dell; one daughter, Kari Newman, and her husband, Kent, of Puyallup, Wash.; one son, Terry, and his wife, Carol, of Redmond, Wash.; three grandsons, Erich Newman and Travis and Kyle Finley; one sister, Alvina (McMillan) Johanson, of Billings; one brother, Leo Bergtoll of Saco; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the extended family, the many friends and the Carriage Manor community for their kind words and support.

Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society.