Bernard "BJ" Brinkman

Bernard'BJ'Brinkman, age 79 Richmond June 8, 1926–April 24, 2006 Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2006 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Richmond, MN for Bernard “BJ” Brinkman, age 79, who died Monday at the Paynesville Area Hospital. Entombment will be in the Parish Mausoleum. Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday (TODAY) and from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning at the Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 p.m. followed by a rosary with the Richmond American Legion, Catholic Aid Association, Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus. BJ was born in Farming to Bernard and Theresa (Egerman) Brinkman. He married Viola Schouviller on August 8, 1949 in Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Richmond, MN. BJ served in the United States Navy during WWII from 1943-1945. He was employed by Great Northern Railway for many years. He owned and operated Brinkys Liquor & Gas Station from 1957-1986, served as a Minnesota State Representative from 1964-1986 and was a current Director for the State Bank in Richmond. BJ was a loving husband and father who was very proud of his family. Nothing gave BJ more pleasure than spending time at family gatherings with his wife, children and grandchildren. BJ truly enjoyed people, his cabin, pontooning, gardening, his workshop and traveling. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Richmond Civic & Commerce Assn., Lions Club, American Legion, Cold Spring VFW, Catholic Aid Assn., Knights of Columbus, Catholic Order of Foresters and past director of Minnesota License Beverage Association. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Viola; children, Gail Brinkman of Minneapolis, Wayne (Jan) of St. Cloud, Gary (Cindy) of Richmond, Allen (Carol) of St. Cloud and Dave of Seattle, WA; grandchildren, Dan (Ellen) Brinkman of Minneapolis, Beth (Justin) Fletcher of Eden Prairie, Jennifer, Chris and Katie Brinkman of Richmond, Michael and Emily Brinkman of St. Cloud and Teal and Tanna Brinkman of Seattle, WA; brothers and sisters, Beatrice Buckley of Baxter, Rita Krebes of Brookfield, IL, Edna (John) Krebes of Foley, AL, Jan (Jack) Schmitz of Lakeville, Harold (Marilyn) Brinkman of St. Joseph, Tom (Ruth) Brinkman of Minneapolis, Alice (Richard) Voit of Andover. He is preceded in death by his parents.