Eugene Brinkman

Eugene F. "Gene" Brinkman, age 84 of Grey Eagle, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 19 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Ronald Dockendorf officiating. Interment will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Ward Springs.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church in Grey Eagle. Knights of Columbus will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church.

Eugene Frank Brinkman was born September 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, Minnesota. 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, Oregon 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, Oregon; 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, Colorado, 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 will be Gene's sons, Danny, David, Darrell, Marc, Mike, and Marvin Brinkman. Cross bearer will be Josh Brinkman and scripture bearer will be Peg Hellermann. Honorary bearers will be 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 will be Patty O'Konek, Pam Schmiesing, Kathy Boos, Karen Middendorf, and Mary Jean Brinkman. Serving as readers will be Pam Schmiesing and Karen Middendorf and servers will be Austin Brinkman and Mady Brinkman. Special music will be by Jonathon and Nicole Spaid, Kayla Brinkman, Jacquelyn Middendorf, and Karen O'Konek.