Eleanor Brinkman, 96

Published 11:15 am Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Eleanor Brinkman, 96, of Austin, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at Our House Senior Living.

Eleanor Brinkman

She was born Nov. 8, 1914, in Austin to Charles and Mary (Monnahan) Fielding. She grew up in Austin and graduated from Pacelli High School (formerly St. Augustine H.S.). She received her teaching degree from the Teacher Normal Training College in Austin. She taught for several years in country schools in the area. She was employed at the Brinkman Bakery where Eleanor met her future husband. On Sept. 4, 1940 she was united in marriage to Lloyd Brinkman at St. Augustine Church. They resided in Austin where Lloyd was employed by the Hormel Co. and she was a homemaker.

Eleanor was a long-time member of Queen of Angels Church. She was a member of the Austin Garden Club where she held many offices. She enjoyed gardening, reading, photography, listening to classical music, taking trips with Senior Citizen Groups, and she enjoyed family activities. Eleanor will be remembered for her sweet smile, her love of flowers, witty remarks, sense of humor and devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Many people will remember seeing Eleanor riding her bicycle around Austin, even into her 80s.

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Survivors include her children, Dianne (Terry) Smith, Scottsdale, Ariz., Jim Brinkman, Austin, Nancy (Garnet) Cafourek, Mankato, Minn., Patty Stavlo (special friend, Jerry Brandenhoff), Bloomington, Minn., Judee (Jim) Jansen, Brooklyn Center, Minn., John Brinkman (special friend, Janice Testa), Scottsdale, Ariz.; grandchildren, Troy Hamberg(Helen) Wichita Falls, Texas, Jacqueline (Bobby) Aldesco, Chatsworth, Calif., Justin Cafourek, LaCrosse, Wis., Andrea (Kevin) Patterson, Irving, Texas, Jordan (Krista) Cafourek, Canton, Mass., Nicole (Jeff) Johnston, Ramsey, Minn., Travis (Jamie) Jansen Brooklyn Center, Brandon (Jennifer) Stavlo, Little Canada, Minn., Brent Stavlo, Minneapolis, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd in 1990; two brothers and two sisters.

A funeral mass will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangements by Mayer Funeral Home.