Lester Fincher

Les Fincher, 71 of Chancellor, passed away on July 29, 2025 at his home under Avera Hospice Care. A private burial will take place with no formal funeral/visitation. Arrangements by Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home.

Les was born on Mother’s Day of 1954 in Sioux Falls, SD to Sam and Verna (Lewis) Fincher. He was the fifth of seven children. The family resided on their farm north of Chancellor. He graduated from Parker High School in 1972.

Celebrating nearly 50 years of marriage, Les met Carol Warner at the Turner County Fair and they were married at a private ceremony on August 15, 1975 in Pipestone, MN. Living briefly in Sioux Falls, SD and then Hollland, MN, they established their family of three girls in Lennox, SD before settling back onto his childhood farm where he lived the remainder of his life.

Les valued hard-work which was demonstrated in his 40-year career at Koyker Manufacturing Inc. in Lennox, SD. His true passion, however, was farming. In his initial farming years, he enjoyed working alongside his dad.

Family was central to Les’ life – and he truly came alive with the title of Opa! One of his favorite activities was dancing the Polka or Two-Step and he was honored to pass that love onto his daughters and granddaughters.

In his retirement, he enjoyed helping on the SooBrook (Nelson) Farm, fishing and hunting with his sons-in-law, and attending his grandchildren’s activities.

He is survived by his wife Carol; three daughters: Chrisa (Luke) Jarvi of Makinen, MN, Dana (Darren) Nelson of Brookings, SD, and Resa (Jeremy) Kirchhevel of Sioux Falls, SD; nine grandchildren: Rosemarie, Rose, and Eileen Jarvi, Aryana, Ladd, Tagg, and Taylie Nelson, and Kiandra and Claire Kirchhevel; one sister: Linda Langrehr of Parker, SD, one brother: Lloyd Fincher of Lennox, SD, two sisters-in-law: Connie Fincher of Southaven, MS and Linda Pence of Salem, MO, and one brother-in-law: John Langrehr of Parker, SD.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Larry, Leonard, and Lowell; one sister: Lila Langrehr; and many other family and friends.