Bernice Elaine Brinkman

Bernice Elaine Brinkman, of Somerville, TX., passed away peacefully at the age of 95, in Caldwell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Somerville, TX., with Father Thaddeus Tabak as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery in Somerville. The Family will receive guests at the visitation Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00p.m., with a celebration of life at 7p.m. at Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville, TX.,

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, TX., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. To this union were blessed 6 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 great grandchildren at some point.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents Herman and Lillie Benn, her husband Stanley Brinkman, Sr., a son, Stanley Brinkman Jr., a daughter-in-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-in-law, Sammy Brinkman and wife Carol of Somerville, TX., son and daughter-in-law, Aldie Brinkman and wife Alice of Lyons, TX., son, Randy Brinkman of Birch Community, TX., daughter and son-in-law Gina Engelmann and husband Dennis of Caldwell, TX., 2 daughters-in-law Linda Brinkman of Somerville, TX., and Beatrus Brinkman of Bay City TX., and a sister and brother-in-law Doris Supak and husband Bennie of Deanville, TX., fourteen grandchildren, two step grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren and 2 step great great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers are Ricky Brinkman, Jr., Joshua Brinkman, Dylan Brinkman, Dennis Engelmann, Jr., Kevin Supak and Aaron Flencher. Honorary pallbearers are 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’s Catholic Church or charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Strickland Funeral Homes.