Daniel J Finholm

Daniel J. Finholm, house painter, barbeque master, Pale Ale lover, Sci-Fi TV watcher, cat and dog devotee, died when his generous and loving heart unexpectedly stopped on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. If you saw Dan before that, he likely was wearing some type of Sherwin-Williams latex paint on his ear, face, shirt or shoe. He was also wearing a smile.

He was the best house painter money could buy. But he wouldn’t charge you as much as his work was worth. He wanted to give you a good deal. He wanted to save you some money. He wanted to do something for you even if he didn’t know you that well.

Dan’s generosity was deeper than the oceans he liked to scuba dive in. Bigger than the lakes he liked to boat on. More remarkable than the Mayan Ruins he walked through in Mexico. He was as generous to animals as he was people.

He played the Powerball. Frequently. In anticipation of winning he would cheerfully tell you all the things he’d do with the money. It usually involved you. He’d take you on a trip. He’d buy you a car. He’d pay off your house. He’d earmark some of that Powerball money for people he’d heard about on the radio. He’d probably have nothing left. But he wouldn’t care because he really didn’t care about money.

He cared about people. About having fun. About building something. About quality work. About his friends and family.

Miss Wonderful. That’s what he called the love of his life, Lorri Paustian. In their nine years together they shared so much. They cooked together. Took trips. Went camping. Made friends. Cared for stray cats. Worked alongside each other in projects that transformed their kitchen and dining room. He met his match in Lorri. Dan learned from Lorri that it’s possible for two people to have differing opinions – yet maintain a deep love for each other.

If you knew Dan then you knew about his family because he liked to talk about them. You knew that his father had fought in World War II. He’d show you an old picture of his Dad in uniform. Or a picture of his Mom as a pretty young woman from Jersey City. If you asked about one of his six brothers or sisters you didn’t get a short answer. He would tell you things about them that made him proud. A promotion. A new baby. A new venture. His pride in Dossie, Kathy, Tom, Bill, Mary and Bob was visible. His enthusiasm made you proud of them too. His pride extended fully to Lorri’s two sons as well. He talked frequently about Colter’s rapid rise in the military and Conner’s outstanding performance in college as a pre-med student. Dan found so much pleasure in the success of others.

Dan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 30, 1956 and was the son of Doris Daly Finholm and Thomas Matthew Finholm. Dan attended Shawnee Mission South High School and the University of Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents. Dan is survived by Lorri Paustian, his companion and soul mate, and six siblings and their spouses: Doris Sweeney (Tony), Kathryn Hines (Dr. Richard), Tom Finholm, Jr. (Julie), William Finholm, Mary Cray and Robert Finholm. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.