Mildred "Millie" Brinkman

Mildred "Millie" Brinkman, age 93, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at a local care center.  She was the widow of Donald "Don" Brinkman.  Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Pastor Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett will officiate.  Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as pianist.  The funeral service will be live-streamed via our website.  

Visitation will be held at the church prior to the funeral starting at 12:30 p.m. 

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Brinkman, Nathan Brinkman, Heidi Lawton, Cara Wiese, Natalie Pieper, Thomas Riley, Daniel Riley, and Joseph Riley.  Active pallbearers will be Dustin Brinkman, Travis Quick, Jeremy Quick, and Gavin Quick.

Millie was born on August 7, 1929, in Grover, SD, to Arthur H. and Gladys M. (Daily) Bevers.  She was the seventh child born of eleven siblings and grew up on the family farm west of Watertown.  When Millie was still young she lost her mom, Gladys. Later her father, Arthur, married Elsie (Ludke) Bevers. Elsie was then Millie’s mom for many decades.

Millie married Don Brinkman on February 6, 1948 in Madison, SD.  She held many jobs which were a cook and waitress at Reaney’s Service/Pit Stop, lunch lady in the schools, in house daycare, election worker, lead secretary for the bowling association, checker at the local grocery stores, attendant at Herberger’s and the Watertown Police Department where she was the first  meter maid. 

Millie was a ‘sun-lover’ and could be found outside for hours at a time.  She was also a ‘gamer’ as she enjoyed bingo, card games, and crafts.  She was a very avid bowler.  She enjoyed camping with friends and family as well.  Millie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for almost all of her life.

Millie is survived by her children Darwin (Nancy) Brinkman of Watertown, Mona (Bruce) Ward of Mitchell, Verdyne (Ross) Quick of Sioux Falls, and Jodi Brinkman of Watertown; ten grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Don; and eight siblings.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel    www.crawfordosthus.com

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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