1922
Leo
2007
Leo George Washington Brink
February 22, 1922 — November 14, 2007
Leo G. Brink, 85, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at his home in rural Waukon, following a long battle with emphysema. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 17th at 2:00 pm at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Rev. Tom Buresh officiating. Burial will be held in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, IA.
Leo George Washington Brink was born on February 22, 1922 in Volney, IA, the son of August Carl and Eliza Ritte (Jones) Brink. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Waukon and confirmed at West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. While growing up he went to various country schools and Waukon public school. As a young boy he worked for different farmers for $25.00 a month. On June 14, 1941 he married Ruth Alice Ludeking at the Zalmona Presbyterian Church parsonage, with Rev. Buschman as pastor. Ruth's parents had a wedding supper for the newlyweds with a few friends and relatives in attendance. Later in the evening there was a shivaree for the couple at her parents' farm.
Leo and Ruth operated a snack shop on Spring Avenue for about a half a year. He also worked for different farmers and at packing plants in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. In 1944 he started farming by St. Olaf, IA, and then in 1950 they moved to Ludlow where they have lived ever since. Leo was the first can milk hauler and later had the first bulk milk route for the Ludlow creamery.
Leo enjoyed outdoor sports, fishing and duck hunting on the Mississippi River, and staying in their cabin at Harpers Ferry. Leo and Ruth enjoyed deer hunting in South Dakota and Wyoming in the fall and also visiting Deadwood, South Dakota. They spent a few weeks in Texas each winter for a number of years. Bowling was another sport he enjoyed. Leo had his own five man team with his four sons and himself, and he bowled in a couples league until his health gave out. He loved family get-togethers with all the kids, grandkids, great-grandchildren and his great-great-grandson. Having the house full after the church program on Christmas Eve was a very special time for him.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Waukon; his children, Gary (Lucille) of Postville, Gayle (Linda) of Waukon, Gloria (Joe) Burkart of Crestview, FL, Greg (Donna) of Waukon, Geraldine (Greg) Winkler of Monona, and Gene (Jan) of Baltimore, MD; 20 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jean Ann; an infant son; a granddaughter, Meeghan Burkart; a half-brother, Donald; a brother, LeRoy; and 5 sisters, Edna Fosaaen, Dorothy Bell, Letty Madden, Viola Kruger, and Oreen Brink.
Honorary casketbearers are Cindy Brink, Michelle Adkins, Eliza Winkler, Kristal Brink, Kelly Brink, Heather Zylstra, Abigail Brink, Miya Burkart, Sara Durnan and Meka Baker. Casketbearers are Gerald Brink, Darrold Brink, Alan Brink, Jeff Brink, Jason Brink, Jeremy Brink, Brian Brink, Joshua Brink, Mike Peterson and John Winkler.
Leo George Washington Brink was born on February 22, 1922 in Volney, IA, the son of August Carl and Eliza Ritte (Jones) Brink. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Waukon and confirmed at West Paint Creek Lutheran Church. While growing up he went to various country schools and Waukon public school. As a young boy he worked for different farmers for $25.00 a month. On June 14, 1941 he married Ruth Alice Ludeking at the Zalmona Presbyterian Church parsonage, with Rev. Buschman as pastor. Ruth's parents had a wedding supper for the newlyweds with a few friends and relatives in attendance. Later in the evening there was a shivaree for the couple at her parents' farm.
Leo and Ruth operated a snack shop on Spring Avenue for about a half a year. He also worked for different farmers and at packing plants in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. In 1944 he started farming by St. Olaf, IA, and then in 1950 they moved to Ludlow where they have lived ever since. Leo was the first can milk hauler and later had the first bulk milk route for the Ludlow creamery.
Leo enjoyed outdoor sports, fishing and duck hunting on the Mississippi River, and staying in their cabin at Harpers Ferry. Leo and Ruth enjoyed deer hunting in South Dakota and Wyoming in the fall and also visiting Deadwood, South Dakota. They spent a few weeks in Texas each winter for a number of years. Bowling was another sport he enjoyed. Leo had his own five man team with his four sons and himself, and he bowled in a couples league until his health gave out. He loved family get-togethers with all the kids, grandkids, great-grandchildren and his great-great-grandson. Having the house full after the church program on Christmas Eve was a very special time for him.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Waukon; his children, Gary (Lucille) of Postville, Gayle (Linda) of Waukon, Gloria (Joe) Burkart of Crestview, FL, Greg (Donna) of Waukon, Geraldine (Greg) Winkler of Monona, and Gene (Jan) of Baltimore, MD; 20 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jean Ann; an infant son; a granddaughter, Meeghan Burkart; a half-brother, Donald; a brother, LeRoy; and 5 sisters, Edna Fosaaen, Dorothy Bell, Letty Madden, Viola Kruger, and Oreen Brink.
Honorary casketbearers are Cindy Brink, Michelle Adkins, Eliza Winkler, Kristal Brink, Kelly Brink, Heather Zylstra, Abigail Brink, Miya Burkart, Sara Durnan and Meka Baker. Casketbearers are Gerald Brink, Darrold Brink, Alan Brink, Jeff Brink, Jason Brink, Jeremy Brink, Brian Brink, Joshua Brink, Mike Peterson and John Winkler.
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