Desire "Dede" Chidsey

Born May 27, 1938, in Fredericksburg, TX, to Harry H and Evelyn (Seffel) Chidsey, Dede was the third of their four daughters. Her father was an expert in reinforced concrete construction, a relatively new technique, in the early 20th century, and was brought to San Antonio to oversee construction of the Milam Building, the tallest reinforced concrete building in the United States, when it opened in 1928. After his marriage to Evelyn Seffel, who had deep roots in the Texas Hill Country, they moved for various jobs across the country but finally settled in Alamo Heights to be close to her family.

In 1947, Harry Chidsey suddenly passed away and nine months later their home in San Antonio burned while the family was in Kerrville visiting relatives who were part of that ranching community. Their temporary move into a vacant family home there soon became permanent, and Dede graduated from Tivy High School.

While in school, Dede studied dance and soon became an en pointe ballerina featured in solo performances. Aspiring to a career in dance, Dede pursued a major in exercise science at Sam Houston State University.

With the birth of her first child, however, Dede selflessly transferred her devotion and energies to motherhood. Active in her children’s schools, Dede honed her culinary skills as a volunteer room mother, and family camping vacations became highlights. To support the family, Dede went to work for SMT Freight Lines where she was a bookkeeper for 30 years.

Dede’s quiet humility and slender frame hid a lot of talent. Teaching herself, she became a skilled dressmaker and a creative force in the sewing arts and crafts, and she generously shared her sewing and culinary skills with family and friends.

Dede loved all animals and the Cocker Spaniel was her favorite dog. Cam, Crystal, Coal and Cody were some of the special dogs in her life over the years.

Happiest when outdoors, Dede enjoyed walking with her dog and feeding the many deer who regularly visited her home. Her one desire to travel was fulfilled when she and a sister took a cruise tour to Alaska. In addition to experiencing the wildlife in Denali National Park, the highlight was a raft trip through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in Haines.

Always dreaming of a ranching life, her sisters felt that Dede was born in the wrong century and that she would have been more comfortable in the 19th century when her great grandfather Wilhelm Dietert, an early immigrant to Texas, dammed Cibolo Creek and built a mill on its bank, the first business in the fledgling community of Boerne. He later acquired extensive acreage in the Hill Country and established the family as ranchers. Dede’s independence and self-reliance mirrored her pioneering ancestors.

Dede died peacefully of natural causes at home on January 1, 2023, surrounded by family.

Dede was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Bret Lionel Fincke, a sister, Marilyn Rowe Chidsey, and two nephews, George “Hal” Harral and Clayton Harral.

She is survived by two children, Harry Barton “Bart” Fincke and wife Shannon of San Antonio, TX, and daughter Julie Halverson of Merkel, TX; daughter in law Michelle Fincke of London, TX, widow of Bret Fincke; eight grandchildren: Leann Hagerty of Van Nuys, CA, Lexie Dean of Boerne, TX, Roxanne Fincke of Blanco, TX, Monique Fincke of Sedalia, MO, Desire Fincke of Cibolo, TX, Colton Fincke of Junction, TX, Clifford Fincke of London, TX, and Justin Halverson of Merkel, TX; sisters Barbra Dignowity Chidsey Harral of Aztec, NM, and Meredith Chidsey Hester and husband Larry of Houston, TX; and three nephews and one niece.

The family wishes to thank caregiver Valerie Thomas for her support and friendship.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 am -10:30 am on January 14 at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio. The funeral service begins at 10:30 am followed by the committal service at 11:40 am.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Chidsey family.