Martha L (Straube) Brinkman

 Martha Lucille (Straube) Brinkman was born January 1, 1931 to Godfrey and Agnes (Rulla) Straube.  She was baptized on February 15, 1931, and confirmed on Palm Sunday March 25, 1945 at Hope Lutheran Church in Burr.   After confirmation, her family transferred their membership to St John American Lutheran Church in Sterling NE.  She was active in Luther League, sang in the choir and was a Sunday School Teacher for several years.

She went to Rocky Ford County School thru 8th grade.  She graduated from Burr High School in 1948.  She attended Peru State College the summer after graduation.  She received her teaching certificate and taught for 3 years. She then moved to Lincoln and worked at Banker’s Life of Nebraska which is now Ameritas Ins Co.

Martha married Donald Brinkman on June 20, 1952 at St John Lutheran Church in Sterling.  While Don was in the service she worked at the Elgin Watch Company. 

Don return from the Service September, 1954.  They moved to the “home place” and ran a Grade A Dairy Farm for 11 years.  In October of 1965, they moved to Tecumseh and started the General Motors Dealership. 

Three children were born to this union, Kenneth Scott; Daniel Paul (born at rest); and Jennifer Dawn.

In January of 1966, she and Don joined St. John Lutheran Church in Tecumseh.  Martha was active in choir, taught Sunday School, VBS and mid-week school for several years.

Martha loved the outdoors.  Thanks be to God for making land to plant flowers and lawn that needed tending to outdoors. 

Martha enjoyed watching her children perform in music and sports.  She liked to bowl, golf and still played cards once a month.  She enjoyed all kinds of sports, participating when she was younger and as a spectator when she was no longer able to participate.   

Martha and Don liked to travel.  For decades she and Don attended Nebraska football home and away games. They traveled to all 50 states and many Caribbean Islands.  They went to each continent except South America and Antarctica.  She also had a passion for knitting and enjoyed scrapbooking.  Her knitting won many awards at the Nebraska State Fair.  Martha was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. 

She passed away at The Harbor House in Lincoln, Nebraska on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 18 days.

Martha is survived by her son Ken (Deb) Brinkman and her daughter Jennifer Brinkman of Tecumseh, grandchildren Adam and Kelly, three great-grandchildren, sisters Millie (Eddie) Harms of Syracuse and Dorothy (Dale) Johnson of Wahoo, brothers and sisters–in-law Robert Salomons of Adams and Wilmer (Maud) Brinkman of Sterling and Faye Brinkman of Lincoln and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by a son Daniel Paul; husband Don; parents; brother Richard Straube; an infant sister and sister Ruth Salomons; brother-in-law Mike Brinkman; and sisters-in-law Leona Wolters; Bernice Stout and Nora Straube. 

   Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 24, 2017 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska with Rev. Robert Schermbeck officiating. 

   Visitation will be at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska Wednesday, November 22, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

   Memorials in lieu of flowers may go to the St. John’s Lutheran Biblical Garden or Tecumseh Avenue of Flags.

   Interment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska. 

   Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com.

 Service Information