Mary (Dudden) Brinkema Obituary

Phillips County Colorado

Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, CO, 20 Jan 1944 

AMHERST WOMAN DIES OF DOUBLE PNEUMONIA 

Mary Dudden Brinkema was born June 21, 1879 in Germany, the daughter of George Dudden and Mattie, nee Happen*, and as an infant she was baptized into the Christian faith, in her native land. When still a small child, she came with her parents, to America, and settled near Glenville, Nebraska, where she spent her childhood days, and where she received her schooling and instructions with confirmation in the Lutheran faith, and where she grew to young womanhood. 

On April 2, 1898, she was united in marriage to Ben Brinkema, and they continued to make their home at Glenville, where their four children were born, 3 sons and a daughter. The daughter died at the age of about 1 1/2 years, and one son, Ralph preceeded her in death about six years. 

In October 1919, they moved with their family to Phillips County, Colorado, and made their home on a farm about 5 miles northeast of Amherst. Five years later they purchased a farm in Chase County, Nebraska, located about 9 miles southeast of Amherst, where they made their home until they sold the farm, when they retired from farm work, and moved to Amherst, where they purchased the Fred Nierman residence. This was less than a year ago. They enjoyed retired life in Amherst until about 2 months ago when her husband took ill with pneumonia and was taken to the hospital, where she spent the early part of his illness caring for him. 

After entering the hospital, she seemed to be recovering satisfactorily, until about a week before her death, when complications began to set in. 

She had been a member of the Amherst church ever since coming to Colorado, and was also a member of the Lutheran Ladies Aid. She was always willing and ready to help in this work. 

She was 64 years, 6 months and 23 days of age and leaves to mourn her husband, two sons, George and Harry, both of Amherst, 5 brothers, 1 sister, 8 grandchildren and a host of friends and acquaintances.

*NOTE: Spelled Heppen?

Mary Dudden Brinkema