Bill was one of the first students I met at St. John’s my freshman year. He was living off campus at home but was kind enough to invite me to his home for dinner. And I distinctly remember he told me, with pride, that they were serving ‘beef steak’ for dinner. Maybe that was a rarity in his home at the time. . . I don’t know. But I’ve been honored that he and his family would share that with me. Thanks, Bill and to your family.
William A. "Bill" Brinkman
October 13, 1947 – October 26, 2024
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville for William A. “Bill” Brinkman, age 77, of Paynesville. Bill passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 26 at the CentraCare Paynesville Hospital. Reverend Glenn Krystosek will officiate. Private burial will take place in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery in Cold Spring.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 1 at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.
Bill was born October 13, 1947 in St. Cloud to Leonard and Vitalia (Theisen) Brinkman. He graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School and then St. John’s University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1972. He married Bernadette “Bernie” Esplan on July 27, 1974 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Cold Spring. Bill taught a few years in Michigan and New Ulm, but spent over 30 years teaching math in Paynesville.
Bill enjoyed the outdoors, both fishing and hunting. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Bridge. For many years he and Bernie enjoyed winter cruises. He was a member of the St. Louis Catholic Church where he sang in the choir and taught religion. Bill loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife Bernie, his sons David (Emily) and Andy (Mindy) both of Shakopee, his grandchildren Ben, Josh, Max, Olivia and Wyatt, his siblings Rob (Barb) of St. Joseph, Karen (Ron) Valentine of Blooming Prairie, Steve (Jeanette) of Cold Spring, John (Mitzie) of Avon, Tom (Diane) of Naperville, Illinois, Peter (Jan) of Otsego, Paul (Jodi) of St. Joseph and Scott of St. Joseph, and brother-in-law Bob Gray (Rhea) of White Bear Lake.
Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Sue Gray, godson Timothy Valentine and sister-in-law Eileen Brinkman.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the R.O.S.E Center in Paynesville.
Guestbook
Bill was one of my best friends. We were singing partners in the church choir for many years. Bill had a great voice; and we had a lot of laughs and fun times in the choir. Bill was an excellent teacher to our four children, and they loved his stories. His required videos to demonstrate math concepts, is just one example of his innovative way of teaching. We still watch the video that our son made. (Bernie also babysat him). Our daughters were the same age as David and Andy, so we were able to see our families grow up together. Jo and I have many happy memories of getting together with Bill and Bernie. Bill told great stories of his life and family, and his sense of humor made those stories even better. In the later years Bill talked about his children and grandchildren a lot. He was so proud of them. Bill was a very special friend, and we will miss him so very much.
Mike and Jo Flanders
Paynesville, MN
October 31.1924
My condolences to all the family. May you all find peace and comfort that he is with loved ones who left before him.
Mr. Brinkman was my math teacher for Analysis/pre-calculus. One particular semester I really needed an A in order to raise my GPA to qualify for college scholarships. I’m grateful that he was patient and gracious enough to answer my extra questions during and after class, and with his help I was able to obtain the scholarship I was hoping to get.
I was a bit of a practical joker in high school. When I made a joke, Mr. Brinkman usually responded with a clever retort of his own that was often funnier than mine.
One time, though, I noticed he was wearing brand new shoes. For reasons unknown to me, I found this to be incredibly exciting, so I stood up, pointed, and shouted, “MR. BRINKMAN HAS NEW SHOES!!!”
I clapped enthusiastically and the rest of the class joined me in a spontaneous standing ovation that carried on way longer than it should have. In that situation, I could tell he felt a little uncomfortable about the unexpected attention, and he wasn’t sure how to react. Maybe it’s because he had never lost control of an entire classroom before. Well, after that, we never saw the new shoes again, because he wore his old shoes to school for the rest of the year.
I’m sure he didn’t throw away the new shoes, which means for the rest of the year there was a moment every morning where he opened his closet, saw a brand new pair of shoes sitting right next to an old pair of shoes, and then sheepishly decided to put on the old shoes to avoid another standing ovation.
I still laugh about this story, even though it makes me look like kind of a little jerk.
Anyway, Bill was a really nice guy and I’m sad to hear that he’s not with us any more.
I’m also grateful that Bernie was such a kindhearted daycare provider, and I’m glad my siblings and I were able to become friends with their sons Andy and David as well.
Mr. Brinkman’s legacy will live on in his wonderful family, as well as the students he taught. Rest in peace.
Services
Schedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Paynesville. Reverend Glenn Krystosek will officiate. Private burial will take place in the St. Boniface Parish Cemetery in Cold Spring.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, November 1 at the Daniel-Anderson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation will continue after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.