John Brink

John Louis Brink was born February 21, 1932, the son of George (Jerry) and Golda Birkhofer Brink. He passed way at Veterans Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at the age of seventy-nine years, eight months and eight days.
John was born in Dow City, Iowa and received his education in the Dow City School. He enlisted in the United Sates Army in 1952 and served in Korea, receiving his honorable discharge in July 1954. He returned home and worked for area farmers and on various construction projects around Iowa, then at IBP and Farmers Elevator in Denison. After that he worked for twenty plus years on the Crawford County road maintenance crew until retiring in 1994.
On October 30, 1954, John was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Herrig. The couple made their home in the Dow City area and was blessed with the birth of three children. John enjoyed fishing, especially his annual trip to fish the Minnesota River with various relatives and friends. He also enjoyed raising animals, playing cards, and spending time with his family and friends. His Saturday morning routine for many years included going to the Denison sale barn. He was a member of the Dow City United Methodist Church and the American Legion. He was also on the town council in Dow City for two terms.
John was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, George Jr. (Hoot); and three sisters, Kathryn, Lila, and Joyce; and a great-grandson, Tyson. Survivors include his wife, Ruth of Dow City; his children: Teresa and her husband, Dan; Janet and her husband, Dave; and Steve and his wife, Mavis; seven grandchildren: Michelle and her husband, Dave; Travis and his wife, Jill; Kristen; Nick and and his wife, Amy; Kellie; Jeremiah; andMaria; seven great-grandchildren, Cole, Luke, Zack, Elli, Addison, Evan, and Zoey; two sisters, Gwen and Donna; and two brothers, Bill and his wife, Ellen; and Bob and his wife, Chris; many other relatives and friends.