Elsie Mae Brink

Elsie Mae Brink was born on October 12, 1920 in Carlston Township, the daughter of Hans Alfred and Olga (Jacobson) Christianson. She grew up in Freeborn and graduated from Freeborn High School. On November 15, 1939 Elsie was united in marriage to Ernest William Brink in Hartland. Elsie was a member of the Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland. In the early 1970’s Elsie moved to Colorado. She worked as a cook for the Pi Beta Phi Sorority at the University of Colorado in Boulder. After 20 years in Colorado, Elsie returned to Minnesota. She enjoyed cooking, reading, crocheting and playing cards.

Survivors include her children Colleen (Don) Kresal , Lorraine Hawthorne, and Michael Brink; grandchildren Tammy Ness, Grant Ness, Scott Johnson, Heather (David) Quereau, Randy (Sheri) Kresal, and Todd Kresal; great-grandchildren Katelyn Johnson, Michael and Mariah Johnson, Abigail, Logan, and Carson Quereau, Keely Johnson and Mark, Amber and Miachael Kresal; brother Donald (Margaret) Christianson; sister Ruby Widenheft; and several nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernest, daughters Margaret Obie and Phyllis Brink, grandson Rick Johnson, brothers Einar (Ann) Christianson, Oscar (Beatie)Christianson, Ralph (Catherine) (Ann) Christianson, Norman (Artis) Christianson, Ray (Lois) Christianson, and Ernest (June) Christianson, and sister Evelyn Hintz.

Elsie’s family would like to thank her niece Linda Pierick and Jim Pierick for their devoted care for Elsie during the last few years. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Activities Department at St. John’s Lutheran Community, 901 Luther Place, Albert Lea, MN  56007.