Eugene F. “Gene” Brinkman, age 84 of Grey Eagle, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Interment was in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Ward Springs.
Eugene Frank Brinkman was born Sept. 15, 1931, in Muenster, Saskatchewan, Canada, to William and Ludwina (Pundsack) Brinkman. He completed elementary school in Ward Springs and attended Sauk Centre High School. On May 14, 1957, he married Mary Lou Pierskalla at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendel, Minn. The couple rented and farmed for a short time south of Grey Eagle until they moved to Oregon where Gene worked as a farmhand at Mount Angel Abbey in Mount Angel, Ore., from 1959 through 1963. After four years in Oregon, they returned and purchased the family dairy farm south of Grey Eagle. Gene retired in 1996 and continued to help his son, Marc, on the farm. For the past year and a half, Gene resided at Pine Haven at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle and the Monsignor Lorsung Council #14616 Knights of Columbus. Gene enjoyed farming, horseback riding, fishing, snowmobiling, dancing, driving motorcycles and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou
Brinkman of Grey Eagle; twelve children, Patty (Kevin) O’Konek of South Haven, Danny (Renee) Brinkman of Sauk Rapids, David (Joyce) Brinkman of Grey Eagle, Darrell (Eileen) Brinkman of St. Paul, Pam (John) Schmiesing of Avon, Margaret “Peg” (Rick)
Hellermann of Melrose, Marc (Julie) Brinkman of Grey Eagle, Mike (Krista) Brinkman of Sartell, Kathy (Jeff) Boos of Sauk Rapids, Marvin (Jody) Brinkman of Pequot Lakes, Karen (Glen) Middendorf of Sartell and Mary Jean (Morgan Wilson) Brinkman of Portland, Ore.; 38 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters, Annamae (Joe) Layton of Silverton, Oregon, Gloria (Jim) Linn of Sauk Centre, Eileen (Ron) Sprenger of Arvada, Colo., and Stan (Arlene) Brinkman of Long Prairie; sister-in-law, Lou Ann Brinkman of Grey Eagle; and Loretta’s companion, Elmer Gangl.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Jocelyn Rae Boos; one grandson; brother, Ron Brinkman; sister, Loretta Peifer; brother-in-law, Billy Peifer Jr.; and nephews, Tom Peifer and Bob Brinkman.
Serving as casket bearers were Gene’s sons, Danny, David, Darrell, Marc, Mike and Marvin Brinkman. Cross bearer was Josh Brinkman and scripture bearer was Peg Hellermann. Honorary bearers were Jacob O’Konek, Jeremy O’Konek, Katie Konz, Andy Brinkman, Derek Schmiesing, Ashley Stangler, Adam Hellermann, Justin Brinkman, Tyler Brinkman, Nathan Boos, Emma Brinkman, Grace Middendorf and Gene’s godchildren, Tom Brinkman, Sharon Haakinson, and Janice Kjera. Gift bearers were Patty O’Konek, Pam Schmiesing, Kathy Boos, Karen Middendorf and Mary Jean Brinkman. Serving as readers were Pam Schmiesing and Karen Middendorf and servers were Austin Brinkman and Mady Brinkman. Special music was by Jonathon and Nicole Spaid, Kayla Brinkman, Jacquelyn Middendorf and Karen O’Konek.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Grey Eagle.