Tracy Ann Finneman

Entrepreneur, idea generator, problem solver, goal setter, personal development seeker, faith-filled servant leader and mentor, mom, wife, fitness enthusiast and instructor, country girl, book author, gifted communicator, North Dakota lover..... Tracy Ann Pearce Finneman was born September 11, 1963, in Burnsville, MN, to Thomas and Susie Pearce and joined her parents in heaven Friday, February 8, 2019. A Celebration of Tracy’s Life will be held Valentine’s Day, February 14th, at 10:30 AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1919 N 2nd St., Bismarck. Wednesday evening, February 13, from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, family and friends can gather to share favorite memories. In 1968, the family moved to Bismarck, a short while living in the city and then moving to the country where Tracy learned and earned a love for country living, physical hard work, horses and animals that lasted a lifetime. She was crowned Miss Rodeo North Dakota in 1984 and was awarded Miss Congeniality at the Miss Rodeo America pageant. She served her state well, traveling and building a comradery of friends and family, promoting a state she loved, a community of people she loved, and a way of life she highly respected. As a member, including a stint as international board member, of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), she developed an extraordinary gift for expressing the meanings found in people and a willingness to share her own journey unselfishly. One of her favorites among friends was her WORD OF THE YEAR.  She was a longtime member, following her mother into the sisterhood of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization). Tracy comes from an entrepreneurial family, and she was raised on the phrase, “Can’t never did a thing....” Her family started Papa’s Pumpkin Patch in 1983. She was instrumental in creating the growth of Papa’s to one of the best pumpkin patches in America while being faithfully committed to its charitable community mission. Tracy established her own communications and marketing consultancy group for 19 years prior to working for the North Dakota Department of Commerce on a team to enhance and promote the state’s business climate. She took great joy in promoting North Dakota to the nation and world. After 12 years at Commerce she returned to her consulting business as Integrity Partners. Always looking for a new challenge, in 2015 Tracy co-authored the business book “Wired Differently” with Vern Dosch and Wally Goulet. In the same year, Tracy became a commercial baker and launched Papa’s Granola. Seeking constant growth and betterment, Tracy believed in and sought many mentors from all walks of life (including her “personal board of advisors”), and she herself became a mentor for many others. Her faith was core to Tracy. She enjoyed leading Adult’s and Teens Encounter Christ (ATEC) faith development weekends, served as a youth development director at St. Mary’s Parish, and participated in creating servant leadership development at St. Mary’s Grade School. Tracy also enjoyed reading, long country walks with her husband and dogs, sharing movies with family, cruises, lunch with friends, outings on the Missouri, relaxing on her deck and “dream sessions” for the pumpkin patch. She married Cory Finneman on Valentine’s Day 2004. To this day, and always, they are best valentines. She was devoted to her family, extending from her son, Ben-Luke, to the broad pumpkin patch family and many friends. Her ever-present smile and optimism, generosity to others, spunk and tenacity, and love for others will be greatly missed. Tracy lived the gift of life to the fullest and would encourage all of us to do so. Tracy leaves behind her husband Cory; son Ben Luke Metzger and his fiancée Anna Horner; her brother and sister-in-law Dave and Colleen Pearce; extended family, numerous professional and personal friends who have accompanied her on life’s journey; two horses, Jesse and Kit; and two loyal boxer dogs, Joey and Molly. A special thanks to her world-wide community of prayer warriors who supported her these last 15 months. In lieu of Flowers/Gifts— Cory, on Tracy’s behalf, requests that each of us “Pay it Forward...” and be creative in gift giving for a Special Charitable Valentine— It is Giving Hearts Day!