Rogene E. Brinkman

BRINKMAN, ROGENE E.

Rogene E. Brinkman, age 84, of Appleton, died on Friday, January 27, 2006, at Franciscan Care Center. Rogene was born on October 29, 1921, in the Town of Meime, Wisconsin, to the late Edward and Clara (Wessel) Heckmann. She married Rev. Erwin H. Ploetz on June 27, 1945, in Lewis Corners, Wisconsin; he preceded her in death on September 19, 1971. Rogene taught school for a year prior to her marriage to Rev. Ploetz. They lived in Mission, South Dakota, until 1955 when her husband accepted a call to Zion Lutheran Church in Dale. She later married Lawrence Brinkman on May 22, 1976, in Appleton; he preceded her in death on March 23, 1992. Throughout her life Rogene was active and generous with her time and talents, especially to children. She was a member of the church’s Ladies Aid, the church choir, Couples Club, Fox Valley Ladies Guild and taught Saturday School. She was a volunteer at the Bargain Garden, was a housemother at Northwestern College, and served as a docent at the Grignon Mansion. Survivors include her step-son, Earl (Dolores) Brinkman, Appleton; her step-granddaughters, Cynthia (James) Steffen, Janis (Edward) Ruffolo, Sandra Brinkman (special friend Edward Krueger); her step-great grandchildren, Bradley and Dana Steffen, and Nathan, Erin and Maya Ruffolo; her sisters-in-law, MarJean Rohde, Kiel, Wisconsin, and Gertrude (Neal) Larson, of Mission, South Dakota; several beloved nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends; and her special friends, Corrine Neujahr and family, and Sheryl Hagen. She was preceded in death by her sister, Delores (Ralph) Korn and her brother, Elwyn Heckmann. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 3, 2006, at MOUNT OLIVE EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 930 East Florida Avenue, Appleton, with Rev. Joel Zank officiating. Friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will be in Floral Hill Cemetery, New London. A memorial has been established in her name to benefit Mount Olive Ev. Lutheran Church School and the Outagamie County Historical Society. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Fox River Assisted Living and at Franciscan Care for their loving care.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 North Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com