Blanche Ione Brink

Funeral services for Blanche Brink, age 88, of Milaca, will be held on Wednesday, March 2 at 11 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Milaca with Rev. Tim Bauer and Rev. Tom Sahlstrom officiating. Music will be provided by Cheryl Bailey and Ann Johnson. Casketbearers will include Jerry Bruggeman, Allen Fradette, Dennis Elwell, Chuck Bemis, Matthew Bemis and Cal Baas. Interment will follow at Riverside Lutheran Cemetery in Ronneby. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Arr. Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home of Milaca. Blanche Ione Brink was born May 7, 1922 near Foreston, MN to Bennie and Annie (Andersen) Olsen. She grew up near Foreston and later moved to Minneapolis to work at the Forum Cafeteria until she met and married Harold Brink. They were united in marriage on March 22, 1944 at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. To this union was born one son, Merle. They lived most their married life around Milaca and Oak Park and spent one year living in Denver, CO. Blanche worked at Milaca Mills and then 23 years at Fingerhut until her retirement in 1979. Blanche was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church all of her life, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and belonged to the ladies aide. Blanche liked to crochet and sew, taking care of her garden and traveling. She passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Milaca Elim Home where she has resided for the last six years. Blanche Brink is survived by husband, Harold of Milaca; son, Merle and wife Shirley of Milaca; granddaughter, Lynn and husband Chuck Bemis of Prior Lake; great-grandchildren, Matt and Megan Bemis; also by other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers and four sisters.