Ashley Dawn Flinn

Ashley Flinn, of Montevideo, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the Granite Falls Hospital at the age of 47.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.  Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 31, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Ashley was born on April 29, 1972, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Stan and Tonja Smith.  She was baptized in the Baptist church in Montgomery, Alabama.  She graduated in 1990 from Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, Alabama.

She moved to Minnesota in 1991 and married Brian Tofte in 1992.  Together they had two daughters.  She moved to Montevideo in 1996 where she met and married Ryan Flinn on February 7, 2003, in Las Vegas.  Together they had a son.  She worked in various office positions, most recently at Montevideo Senior High School, a job that she thoroughly enjoyed.  She also managed Inn Like Flinn’s (a job that she was, in her opinion, significantly better at than her husband, Ryan). 

Ashley loved camping (“Glamping” – the girl needed her air conditioning and personal bathroom) at the lake with her many friends and family.  She could be found on any given weekend floating in the lake, working on her perfect tan, or hanging out on various decks with her gal pals.  Her claim to fame at the Lake Barrett Beer Olympics was the Half Ass Participation Award, of which she was tremendously proud. 

Ashley was an avid animal lover.  The latest members of her personal zoo are her two beloved dogs, Vega and Dixie Sue, and one cat, Stretch or “El Gigante,” depending on who you ask.  Over the years she gave many animals a loving home and more time as a phone screen saver than even her own children. 

The light of Ashley’s life was her sole grandchild, Ronan Wilder.  Her friends, family, and few unfortunate strangers were regaled with countless photos of the most photogenic child in all of Minnesota.  She loved spending time with her “Sweet Baby.”  Together, they enjoyed snuggling, reading books, and watching his favorite movie, Cars… over… and over… and over again.

Ashley’s greatest accomplishment was her children.  She was immensely proud of the people they have become.  She and Savannah loved redecorating her 132-year-old house on 5th Street.  She and Karissa shared countless late-night talks and 80’s rock jam sessions.  Ashley was incredibly proud of Chance’s trap shooting successes and never missed an event.  Her children were the center of her world.

Ryan and Ashley spent over 23 years together.  Ryan was a kind, compassionate, and selfless caregiver during her battle with cancer.  Ashley fought her illness with bravery and dignity.  In every sense of the word, she was a fighter.

Ashley passed peacefully on January 29, 2020 surrounded by her loved ones.

She is survived by husband, Ryan Flinn, three children, Savannah (Jesse) Mijares of Glenwood, Karissa Tofte of Marshall, and Chance Flinn of Montevideo, one grandson, Ronan Wilder Mijares of Glenwood.  Mother, Tonja Smith of Montevideo, grandmother, Jane Wade of Foley, Alabama, one sister, and countless extended family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Stan Smith, father-in-law, Greg Flinn, and her grandfather, James Wade. 

Ashley’s memory will be cherished always by her family and many friends.