Darlene G. Brinkman

August 8, 1941 – November 10, 2012




Darlene G. Brinkman, 71, of Caldwell, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at her home surrounded by her loved ones. A Funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Caldwell. Father Brion Zarsky will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell, with a Rosary being read at 7 p.m.




Darlene was born August 8, 1941, to Henry Gafke and Millie (Ondrasek) Gafke in Bryan, Texas. Darlene went to school in Deanville and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1961. She then attended Durhams Business School in Austin and worked for a Retail Credit Company in Austin. On a trip back home to visit family, Darlene attended a dance in Deanville where she met Franklin Brinkman. After a short courtship they were married on April 24, 1965, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Frenstat, Texas.




In February of 1966, they were blessed with a son; Larry Dean Brinkman, whom they were very proud of. Darlene was a member of St. Mary's Altar Society where she held the office of secretary. She was also a member of the Burleson County Czech Heritage Society and the Caldwell SPJST Lodge # 186. Darlene loved to bake cookies for the grandchildren and to make cakes, pies, and candies at Christmas.




She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 42 years, Franklin; and one brother-in-law, James Brinkman.




Darlene is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Yolanda Brinkman of Caldwell; sisters-in-law, Emily and Jimmy Nix, Debbie and J. W. Schulz, Sr., Barbara and Milton Skrabanek; brothers-in-law, Kenneth and Sherry Brinkman, David Brinkman; grandchildren, Joshua Brinkman, Christian Brinkman, Kyle Brinkman, Marina Brinkman, and one great grandchild on the way.




The family requests that memorials be given to St. Mary's Altar Society Scholarship Fund, St. Mary's Women's Club Scholarship Fund, the Czech Geneology and Museum of Temple, Texas, the American Cancer Society , or to Hospice Brazos Valley, Bryan, Texas.




Arrangements are under the care and direction of Strickland Funeral Home of Caldwell.
Please visit our website at www.stricklandfuneralhomes.com for additional

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