Service Information
Milton A. Brinkman, age 93, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 29, 2020, at 11:00 A.M. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment at a later date in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
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Obituary
Milton Arthur Brinkman was born on April 28, 1927, in Watson, Minnesota. He was the son of John A. and Olga (Klefstad) Brinkman. Milton was baptized and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He received his education in St. Cloud and was a graduate of the St. Cloud Technical High School Class of 1945.
Milton entered active military service in the United States Navy on February 9, 1945, in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and served his country during World War II and served in Atlantic Theater from 1944 to 1946. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 3, 1946, at the USN Personnel Separation Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and achieved the rank of Seaman First Class. He became a manager of a camera shop in St. Cloud after his discharge from the United States Navy.
On October 31, 1948, Milton was united in marriage to Lydia Marie Gardner at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with three children, John, Jeffery, and Julie. The couple moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Milton attended watch-making school until 1950. In 1950, the Brinkman’s moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where he studied for two years at the Progressive School of Photography, and in 1952, they moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota, where they opened the Brinkman Studio, where he served Hutchinson and surrounding communities for 45 years. Milton and Lydia shared 62 years of marriage together until Lydia passed away on January 31, 2010.
Milton was a professional photographer and owned and operated Brinkman Studio in Hutchinson until he retired in 1995. Professionally, he was the President of the State Photographic Association in 1973, and in 1976, was the recipient of the coveted National Award from the Professional Photographers of America, followed closely by the Craftsman Award, from the National Professional Photographers of America, Inc. He shared his skills and talents with his fellow photographers in many Midwestern states by conducting teaching seminars.
He was active in the Hutchinson community, receiving the Distinguished Service Award, given to young men in the Jaycees by the United States Chamber of Commerce for meritorious community service. As a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, he served as President, Commodore of the Jaycees Water Carnival, and in 1995, he was honored to be chosen as Mr. Hutchinson. Milton was also a member of Burns Manor Nursing Home Board, Stewardship Chairman at Christ the King Lutheran Church, American Legion Hutchinson Legion Post 96, Charles McLaughlin Post 906, Elks Club. He was active in the Temple Lodge 59, serving on Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, and the Shrine. During his growing years, he directed his attention to the DeMolay, Masonic organization for young men, serving on the advisory council. Milton was a founding member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He also served for many years on the Hutchinson Recreation Board.
Milt’s hobbies were golfing, hunting, and becoming an expert in the art of making stained glass windows.
Milton passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 93 years. Blessed be his memory.
Milton is survived by his:
Children, John A. Brinkman and his wife, Jane, of Winona, MN,
Jeffery A. Brinkman and his wife, Remie, of Sun City, AZ,
Julie A. Moyemont and her husband, Jim, of Peoria, AZ;
Grandchildren, Michelle (Chad) Hetzel; Jeremy (Elizabeth Fox-Larson) Larson, Mandi (Arron) Brinkman, Jenna Brinkman;
Great-Grandchildren, Oliver, Samuel, George, Noah, Jacob, Ella, Asher, JJ, and Cecelia;
Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Milton is preceded in death by his Parents, John and Olga Brinkman; Wife, Lydia Brinkman, Second Wife, Janet Brinkman; Grandson, Jonathan Brinkman; Sister, DeLoris Sartell and her husband, Charles; Brother, Wayne Brinkman and his wife, Evelyn.
Margit Bretzke says
I have lots of shared memories with the Brinkman family. Both Milt and Lydia had quick smiles and a certain playfulness that was so apparent on shared ski trips, and of course, at the bridge club events. Its hard to imagine there are so few left in that generation.
Anissa Parsons says
So many wonderful memories of Milt. He and Lydia were special family friends of ours. He had a gift of capturing just the right photo of anything he photographed. He had a beautiful, contagious laugh, a kind heart and a smile that lit up the room. God bless all of his loved ones. Knowing Lydia was there to greet him in heaven gives me so much peace. You will be missed Milty! Love, Anissa (Allen) Parsons
Kathy Dobratz-Johnson says
So many fond memories of both Milt and Lydia! He was a talented photographer and both of them were creative and generous people. I remember posing for a few photos that Lydia painted which won awards. They gifted them to me when they closed their studio. What a long and well-lived life he had. I think of Milt and shared family experiences every time I look at the stained glass windows he made for me . My sympathy to the whole Brinkman family.
Karen Peterson says
The Brinkman’s are full of memories frim bridge club, Pishney lane get togethers and memories of those special event parties. Im sure the whole gang is up above having a grand time. He will be missed.
Rus Hurt says
Speaking for the remaining Hurt’s, many fond memories of Milt (and Lydia) come to mind not only for the good friends they were to my parents and the “bridge club” gang, but more importantly, for me, the exposure to photography that Milt shared with me as a youngster.
The life long vision into photography and lessons both in and out of the dark room, behind the lens, learning to “see” in advance, being ready for the development of the “moment” and the rule of thirds, is still the backbone of my daily seeing years later. Though technology has changed the lessons shared live on with each click of the shutter. For this I am grateful. Our fond family sympathies to the Brinkman family.
Shirley Allen Kremer says
John, Jeff, Julie & your families, I was saddened to see the notice of your father, grandfather, uncle’s death. He was a good friend of ours and I have many fun memories of time spent with him and Lydia. They were both very talented people and the type you wanted as friends. He contributed much to Hutchinson, took beautiful portraits and gave freely of his time. He will be missed.
Jim Sartell says
Thoughts and prayers to John, Jeff, Julie and families; hoping for loving and great memories during this especially difficult time. Milt will be missed, and represented the last of a great generation in our family very well.
Dan Sartell says
John, Jeff and Julie: Wonderful memories of your Dad will live on forever. I truly enjoyed Uncle Milt and his zest for life. Peace.
Lloyd H Allen says
REST IN PEACE MY GOOD FRIEND. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE TIMES WE SHARED.
MY THOUGHTS, PRAYERS AND SYMPATHIES ARE WITH THE BRINKMAN FAMILY.
HE WILL BE MISSED!
Michael Connor says
I met Milt in the late 60s when I lived in Hutchinson, he took the picture of me as Exalted Ruler of Hutchinson Lodge #2427 in the fall of ’69 that is displayed at the Lodge today….after he took the Elks picture, he asked me if I would take some time to let him take some pics of me ‘smoking a cigarette’ that might enter in a ‘contest some time’….told Milt sure and there went the next couple of hours!…..it was enjoyable and about a year later, when I was back visiting Hutch, Milt gave me a large print of the ‘smoking picture’ he had decided on….have always cherished the portrait and still have it (even though quit smoking years ago)…..a ‘Master Photographer’ in Devils Lake, ND, Jim Erickson, told me that Milt was one in a million when it came to photography…..knew that already…..Milt was an American ‘Gentle-Man’
Mike Connor, Devils Lake, ND