Barbara Jean Brinkhous

BARBARA JEAN BRINKHOUS was born on December 9, 1958 to John and Margaret (Van Dyke) DeRuyter in Pipestone, Minnesota. Barb was raised with her 14 siblings on a farm just outside of Holland, Minnesota. She went to school in Holland through eighth grade and attended high school in Ruthton, Minnesota, graduating in 1976. On December 10, 1976, Barb was united in marriage to Kenneth Brinkhous in Luverne, Minnesota. Barb worked as the dietary manager at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Luverne for 18 years. Later she went with Ken to build motels for a year, then to Colorado with Ken while he built an addition on a hospital. After returning to Luverne, Barb worked for HSI for over 20 years. Barb never retired. While on medical leave and under hospice care at her home, Barb died peacefully on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the age of 63 years, 2 months, and 10 days.

Barb was a member of Rock River Community Church in Luverne. Throughout her life she played piano and also was the head of the missions committee. Barb loved to play games with her grandchildren, or anyone, really. She also loved flower gardening, crafts and making cards. She loved music and most of all, reading her Bible. Barb loved the Lord, she loved her family and was blessed with her husband, daughter, son-in-law and five grandchildren. She loved that she had 14 siblings and later found out that she had another!

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Kenneth Brinkhous of Hardwick, Minnesota; daughter, Chassidy (Joel) Greaver of Bear River, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Layla, Jane, Ema, Elias, and Norah; siblings, Tammy (Randy) Helzer of Miliken, Colorado, Deb Gerdes of Holland, Greg (Lee Anne) DeRuyter of Okabena, Minnesota, Bryan (Kim) DeRuyter of Okabena, Brent (JoAnne) DeRuyter of Ruthton, Jeff (Shelli) DeRuyter of Holland, Todd (Osiris) DeRuyter of Holland, Rich (Steph) DeRuyter of Ruthton, Lynn (Kevin) Jolitz of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Gary (Bernie) DeRuyter of Lake Benton, Minnesota, Doug (Judy) DeRuyter of Holland, Connie Fletcher of Holland, Dave (Marge) DeRuyter of Holland, and Chad DeRuyter of Holland; and a brother-in-law Wayne DeGroot. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret DeRuyter; and a sister, Karen DeGroot.