Donald D. Brink age 70, passed away at his home after a short encounter with lung cancer on September 17, 2012. He was born on July 3, 1942 in Dane County Wisconsin, son of Walter L. Brink and Ruth (Legler) Brink. He is survived by his wife Karen, a son Craig (Connie) Brink of Minneapolis, MN, a daughter Kimberly of Elk Grove, CA, five grandchildren and a sister Elizabeth (Victor) Babler of New Glarus, WI.
Don graduated from Verona High School in 1960 and attended Plattville State University in Plattville, WI. He was united in marriage to Karen L. Garfoot on July 27, 1963. Don went to work for Supersweet Feeds in Carthage, Illinois as a feed salesman. He then entered the healthcare industry as an Assistant Adminstrator for Americana Healthcare. From there he received his administrator license and went on to work for a National Healthcare Corporation as an Operations Manager. He continued his career forming a new company in owning and operating several nursing homes in the Midwest. Prior to his retirement in the 1990’s, Don purchased his own nursing home. He started his endeavor with an empty building and successfully achieved his dream with a fully operating 40 bed assisted living and Alzheimer’s facility.
Although passionate about his work, Don enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and a good friend to many. Don was extremely proud of his Swiss heritage and was fortunate to visit Switzerland twice in his lifetime, along with many other travels with his wife and friends. Also dear to Don’s heart is the family farm in Wisconsin which he still owns. Named “Return Acres”, he was proud to have maintained it within the Brink Family and it will reach it’s 100th year in the summer of 2013. Don’s wishes were to return home for his final resting place. The family will take him there in a private ceremony at a later date. Don was a member of the United Lutheran Church serving as a council member, the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club, the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Echos, and past President of the Ripon Lion’s Club.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 21 from 4:00-8:00 at Deegan’s Funeral Home in Ripon. The funeral will take place at the United Lutheran Church in Manteca on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 3:00pm with a reception to follow at the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club. Memorials can be made to the United Lutheran Church in Manteca, or the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club in Ripon.
Manteca (Calif. ) Bulletin
Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012
