Joel H. Brinkman, (‘Jinks’ to many of his friends), 77, of Lake City, died Tuesday, February, 4, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Red Wing. Although he battled with throat cancer the past few years, he was suddenly and sadly taken from us before we were ready to say goodbye.
Joel Henry Brinkman was born January 2, 1948, in Lake City, to Ray and Irma (Krause) Brinkman. He graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1965 and shortly after enlisted in the US Army Reserves in Wabasha, serving from 1966-1972. On April 25, 1970, he married Faye Riddle at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City, where he’d been a lifetime member. Together they shared 55 years of marriage and two great kids, and many extended family and friends.
Joe worked as a self-taught auto body tech for the majority of his life. He started out in high school at Brunkhorst Auto Body and then after graduation he worked at Orville Carstens Auto Body. He worked at Di-Acro until the plant closed and then got back into his auto body passion at Tom Heffernan Ford. In 1985 Joe and David Richardson started Precision Auto Body in Lake City, which they later sold in 1993. He also worked at The Body Shop in Lake City. Joe “retired” in 2014 but continued to work part time at several places. He was a founding member of the Lakesters Car Club. He loved cruising in his 2005 Mustang, taking it to car shows and car cruises (on non-rainy days, of course) with his many friends. And there was nothing better than a ride on his motorcycle on a warm sunny afternoon.
His family will miss his “MacGyver like” ways, always able to problem solve and fix things. When asked something mechanical about a car he’d say he was an auto body man not a mechanic, but he usually had the answer anyway. He was always willing to help his family and friends when asked and he’d show up with the necessary tools in hand. Mornings just won’t be the same around Lake City—no more ‘Jinks’ to wave to, as he drives through town on his morning ride with his coke in hand.
He will be missed by his family, and many friends, including his wife, Faye Brinkman of Lake City; 2 children, Joelle (Kevin) Hoffman of Red Wing and Michael (Amanda) Brinkman of Blaine; granddaughter, Avery Brinkman and step grandsons, Nate and Nolan Hoffman; sister, Loa Baker of Lake City; nieces, Shari (Larry) Witt, Dawn (Andy) Rolph and their family; nephew Alan (Kari) Brinkman and their family and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Roger (Nancy) Brinkman and brother-in-law, Duane Baker.
Joe’s Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City with Rev. Daniel Reich officiating. Visitation will be at 1:00 prior to the service at the church. A gathering of friends and family will follow the church service at the Lake City VFW from 3-7 p.m. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson Peterson Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
St. John's Lutheran Church
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
St. John's Lutheran Church
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
3:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Lake City VFW Post 8729
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