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Ronald Dean "Boots" Brinkman

1928 - 2006

Ronald "Boots" Brinkman, 78, a lifelong resident of the Klemme area, died, November 10, 2006 at the Belmond Medical Center. Services were held at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial with military honors was in Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Ronald Dean, the son of Martin John and Meta (Baack) Brinkman, was born March 19, 1928 in Klemme. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1946 where he was an avid athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball. His teams participated in state tournaments. His love of baseball and softball kept him active in adult leagues up until his health prevented him from competing. "Boots" began his career in construction at age 16. His first construction shop was in his father's blacksmith shop, "Slim's" in Klemme. He want on to study all aspects of the building trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, drywall and masonry. He was proficient in nearly every part of the trade with his specialty being cabinetry.

He married Alice M. Meyer on December 16, 1950 at the Immanuel Reformed Church. They made their home in Klemme. Boots was employed as a resident carpenter for Northern Lumber from 1946-1951. In March 1951 he entered the United States Army. He served for a time in Germany during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a corporal in 1953. He resumed his career as a builder, being employed at the Forest City Millworks and Great Plains Lumber, in addition to being self-employed. He built numerous homes and other projects around north Iowa. He was meticulous and never cut corners or used inferior materials. Boots enjoyed making handmade items for his family and friends. He also made things for church bazaars and auctions, along with one-of-a-kind furniture for his church, such as cabinets and kneelers. He was a member of Immanuel Reformed where he was baptized and confirmed. He served in various roles on the church consistory, including deacon. He loved music and was a member of the choir. Boots served for many years as a member of the Hancock County Election Review Board. He enjoyed conversing with friends over a cup of coffee at the Klemme Elevator and enjoyed the fellowship of friends at various card clubs. He loved dancing, and met his wife during a dance in school. He loved music, especially Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves.

His family will cherish memories of fishing journeys to Canada and camping excursions; the many gifts he made such as jewelry and key boxes, cradles, and tables. They remember him as a conservationist in his own way, always making sure resources were used in an efficient manner. They chuckle as they picture Boots with peppermint gum stuck behind his ear for future use, often forgetting that he put it there. He was always a gentleman, but also had his own stubborn side. He was a perfectionist and believed things needed to be done right.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers Leo and Merlin "Butch" Brinkman.

Survivors include his wife; son Bruce (Jeanette) Brinkman of Carroll; daughter Renee (Ron) Kramer of Iowa City; son Perry Brinkman of Klemme; brothers Garland (Karna) Brinkman of Garner and Martin (Lois) Brinkman, Jr. of Sheffield; sister-in-law Ina Brinkman of Ventura; grandchildren Brian (Karman) Brinkman of Rochester, Nick (Amanda) Brinkman of St. Paul Park, Baron Brinkman of Emmetsburg, Abbey Kramer of West Des Moines, Chad Kramer of Cedar Rapids, and Levi and Bo Brinkman of Long Branch, MN; and great grandchildren Kally and Karly Brinkman of Rochester.


source: Belmond Independent, 14 Nov 2006

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Ronald D. "Boots" Brinkman, age 78, a life long resident and carpenter in the Klemme area, died on Friday, November 10, 2006, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 13, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman officiated. Burial, with full military honors provided by the Klemme Area Military Funeral Unit, was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice.

Ronald Dean "Boots" Brinkman, the son of Martin John and Meta (Baack) Brinkman, was born on March 19, 1928, in Klemme. He attended Klemme Schools and graduated from the Klemme High School with the Class of 1946. During his years in Klemme schools "Boots" was an avid athlete, excelling in both baseball and basketball. Teams which he was a part of had participated in the state tournaments. His love of sports and in particular baseball and softball continued throughout most of his life as he was active in various adult league teams up until his health kept him from competing.

"Boots" began his life long career in construction as a young man while still in high school at age 16. His first construction shop was in his father's blacksmith shop, Slim's Blacksmith Shop in Klemme. Following his primary education he want on to study all aspects of the building trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, dry wall, masonry, and nearly all other tasks involved with construction. He was proficient in nearly every part of the trade during his career with one of his specialties being cabinetry.

Mr. Brinkman was united in marriage to Alice M. Meyer, on December 16, 1950, at the Immanuel Reformed Church in Klemme. The couple made their home and raised their family in Klemme during their entire married life. Their union was blessed with three children, Bruce, Renee, and Perry.

"Boots" was employed as a resident carpenter for the Northern Lumber Company from 1946-1951. On March 30, 1951, he went into military service in the United States Army. During his tenure he served for a time in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces on March 24, 1953, with the rank of Corporal.

Upon returning from military service, Mr. Brinkman resumed his career as a builder employed for periods of time at the Forest City Millworks, and Great Plains Lumber, in addition to being self-employed. He built numerous homes and completed many other construction projects around Klemme and the north Iowa area. He was meticulous and was never one to cut corners, or use inferior materials. He was highly skilled in nearly every task and detail in the construction profession.

"Boots" enjoyed making precious, handmade items for his family and friends. Each one of his family will cherish the special gifts made for them with the love and sweat of his hands. He also made many items for church bazaars and auctions, along with one of a kind furniture pieces for his church, such as memorial cabinets, kneelers, and miscellaneous other hand-crafted items.

Mr. Brinkman was a life long member of the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ where he was baptized and confirmed. He served in various roles on the church consistory, including as a deacon. He loved music and was a member of the church choir.

"Boots" also served for many years as a member of the Hancock County Election Review Board. He enjoyed conversing with friends over a cup of coffee at the Klemme Elevator and enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of friends in various "500" card clubs.

As family reflects upon his life and legacy they will cherish memories of fishing journeys with him to Canada and taking various camping excursions. They will hold dear to their hearts the many gifts made with his hands for them such as jewelry and key boxes, cradles, tables, and so many other pieces of memorabilia. They will fondly remember him as a "conservationist" in his own way, always making sure resources were used in an efficient manner.

He loved going dancing and met his wife and life long partner, Alice, during a dance in their school years. He loved listening to music, especially, the classic singers, such as Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves. His family will chuckle as they picture "Boots" with his "Extra Peppermint" gum stuck behind his ear for future use, often forgetting that he put it there. They will also remember the noises from machines made by his hobby and pastime of sharpening saws for countless residents throughout the area. His grandkids will always reflect back on the special birthday celebrations and other occasions with "Grandpa Boots". He was always a gentleman, but also had his own stubborn side, as he was very much a perfectionist and believed things needed to be done right. He always enjoyed time spent with his family and friends, and the family appreciates all the support and love that has been shown to them and "Boots" during his lifetime and recent health decline.

Those left to cherish the memories of "Boots" life include his wife and life partner of nearly 56 years, Alice Brinkman; son, Bruce and his wife, Jeanette Brinkman of Carroll, daughter, Renee Kramer and husband Ron of Iowa City and son, Perry Brinkman of Klemme; two brothers, Garland Brinkman and wife, Karna of Garner, and "Marty" Martin Brinkman, Jr. and wife, Lois of Sheffield; a sister-in-law, wife of the late Merlin Brinkman, Ina Brinkman of Ventura; his grandchildren, Brian and wife, Karman Brinkman of Rochester, Minnesota, Nick Brinkman and wife, Amanda of St. Paul Park, Minnesota, Baron Brinkman of Emmetsburg, Abbey Kramer of West Des Moines, Chad Kramer of Cedar Rapids and Levi and Bo Brinkman of Long Branch, Minnesota; two great-grandchildren, Kally and Karly Brinkman of Rochester, Minnesota; and also nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest brother, Leo and his brother, Merlin "Butch" Brinkman.


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