Donald K. Brink

Donald Brink age 89 of Larchwood, IA died Friday, December 30th, 2011 at Fellowship Village Nursing Home in Inwood, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at The Church of St. Mary Catholic Church in Larchwood, IA. Burial will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD. Visitation will take place Monday, January 2nd, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., along with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at The Church of St. Mary Catholic Church in Larchwood, IA. Donald Kenneth Brink was born on October 17, 1922 near Eldred, MN to Jacob and Myrtle (Powell) Brink. He lived on the farm with his family until, as a child, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD. He received his education in Sioux Falls. Donald joined the United States Army and served in the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation from 1942 to 1946 reaching the rank of Sergeant. On October 13, 1942 he was united in marriage in South Sioux City, NE to Ione Violet Shields and the couple was together for 45 years, separated only upon Iones death in December of 1987. In 1958 he moved to Brandon, SD and in 1989 to Larchwood, IA. On May 13, 1989 he married Clara Theresa Snyder and the couple enjoyed 19 years of marriage before Clara passed away in July of 2008. He worked for 43 years at John Morrell & Co. as an electrician. Donald was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and charter member of VFW Post 4726, of Brandon, SD. This past Friday, December 30th, 2011, Donald passed away at the Fellowship Village Nursing Home in Inwood, IA at the age of 89. He will be greatly missed. Donald is survived by his sons, Terry D. (Marlene) Brink of Albert Lea, MN, Robert D. (Marvelyn) Brink of Rio Vista, CA, Richard S. (Kay) Brink of Sioux Falls, SD, and John J. (Laura) Brink of Eagle Lake, MN; stepchildren, Kenneth (Diane) Snyder, Jeanine (Allan) Nelson, Debra (Douglas) Snyders, Marsha (Rod) Cronin, all of Larchwood, IA; and Keith (Martha) Snyder of Boise, ID; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, natural and step. He was preceded in death by, both parents, both wives, Ione Violet and Clara; sister, Beatrice Hartsook; brother, Stanley Brink; step-son Dale Snyder.