Gladys Helen Marie Brink

Gladys Helen Marie (Ekberg) Brink, age 90, of Coon Rapids, died Friday, September 24, 2010 at the Presbyterian Home Assisted Living in Andover, MN. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 29 at 11 AM at Estes Brook Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Wes Macy officiating. Interment will follow at Estes Brook Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. She was born December 24, 1919 in Estes Brook, MN to Manfred and Alma (Nelson) Ekberg. Gladys was united in marriage to Ernest J. Brink on February 23, 1940 at her home in Estes Brook. She was a good homemaker and helpmate for her husband and family. Gladys had many interests, including crocheting doilies and making afghans for the family and friends. She also enjoyed painting and made many pictures of birds, flowers, barns and wildlife. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Brink; her parents, Alma (Nelson) and Manfred and Ellen Ekberg; six sons, Douglas in 1941, Jeffrey in 1959, Bradley in 1960, Curtis in 1973, Gary in 1966, Larry in 2003 and her brother, Raymond in 1986. Gladys is survived by her son, Randy of Anoka; six grandchildren, Jason (Julie) of Wadena, Ryan (Danielle) of Florida, Zachary of Anoka, Nichole (Ryan) of Coon Rapids and Matthew (Heidi) of Cottage Grove; nine great-grandchildren, Josh and Jordan, Isabella and Isaac, Nicholas, Alivia and Kennedy and Cooper and Cal Conway. Gladys is also survived by her sister, Florence of Grand Rapids, MI, and brothers and sisters, LeRoy (Irene) of Milaca, Elsie (Alvin) of Estes Brook, Reuben (Donna) of Texas, Glen (Ruth) of Rockford, IL, Violet (Chester) of Braham, Mildred (Darryl) of Rockford, IL and also by many relatives and friends. Gladys always considered the Estes Brook Evangelical Free Church as her home church, but in later years she and her husband were active members of Coon Rapids Evangelical Free Church where she enjoyed volunteering.