Bernice Elaine Brinkman

Bernice Elaine Brinkman, of Somerville, passed away peacefully at the age of 95, in Caldwell.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church in Somerville, with Father Thaddeus Tabak as Celebrant.

Burial followed in Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville. The Family received guests at the visitation on Wednesday evening, June 26, 2024, from 5-8 p.m., with a celebration of life at 7 p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville.

Bernice was born January 1, 1929, in the Birch community of Burleson County, to parents, Herman G. Benn and Lillie (Luedke) Benn.

Bernice met and married the love of her life Stanley Brinkman, June 5, 1946, in Frenstat, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. To this union were blessed six children, Stanley Jr., Sammy, Ricky, Aldie, Randy and Gina.

Bernice was a member of the Happy Feet Dance Club and a member of the VFW Post #4458 Ladies Auxiliary where she held the office of President many times.

She loved cooking Sunday meals for the family or just cooking for her family anytime they walked in the door.

Some hobbies she enjoyed were dancing, playing dominoes and traveling to the casinos with friends and family.

Her favorite event though, was her annual Shrimp Boil and Shrimp Fry for Christmas.

She spent her entire life caring for her family and babysitting most of her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren at some point.

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Lillie Benn, her husband, Stanley Brinkman, Sr.; a son, Stanley Brinkman Jr.; a daughterin- law, Kathy; a son, Ricky Brinkman; a grandchild, Kathryn Brinkman; and a brother and his wife, R. Lee Benn and Josephine.

Surviving are her loving family, son and daughter-inlaw, Sammy Brinkman and wife, Carol, of Somerville; son and daughter-in-law, Aldie Brinkman and wife, Alice, of Lyons; son, Randy Brinkman of Birch community; daughter and sonin- law, Gina Engelmann and husband, Dennis, of Caldwell; two daughtersin- law, Linda Brinkman of Somerville, and Beatrus Brinkman of Bay City; and a sister and brotherin- law, Doris Supak and husband, Bennie, of Deanville; 14 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-greatgrandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers were Ricky Brinkman, Jr., Joshua Brinkman, Dylan Brinkman, Dennis Engelmann, Jr., Kevin Supak and Aaron Flencher.

Honorary pallbearers were Tyler Brinkman, Greg Benn, Bennie Supak and Henry “Buddy” Brinkman.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Hospice Brazos Valley, Oaklawn Cemetery Association or St. Ann Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Strickland Funeral Home. They invite you to visit their website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes. com and sign the online register book.