Karen Dawn Brinkman, age 44, of Centralia, Missouri and formerly of Quincy died Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 11:14 am in Columbia, MO.
Karen was born July 24, 1975 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the daughter of Dale L. and Nancy E Laird Hall. She married Darren D. Brinkman on August 26, 2000 in Whittington, IL. He survives.
Karen was a Wayne City High School graduate and received her bachelor degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She was employed by the USDA National Resources Conservation Service in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, and most recently served as the Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships and Initiatives in Missouri. Her 25 year career was one of understanding leadership, mentoring, supervising and promoting the Agency’s mission. Her work involved building partnerships with many related groups such as the Missouri Association of Soil and Water District, the Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Cattlemen, Missouri Farm Bureau MFA, QuailForever/Pheasant Forever, Missouri Corn, Soybean and Rice Growers and the University Extension to name a few.
Karen had an infectious smile which would light up a room. Her kind, loving spirit touched many lives and formed everlasting friendships. She enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends and attending any of her children’s activities. She especially loved going to Caleb and Claire’s ballgames and school activities. She was a member of Luther Memorial Church in Quincy, and attended Rock Fork Fellowship in Hallsville, Missouri. She was also a member of Women in Natural Resources, Soil and Water Conservation Society, Chairperson of Missouri NRCS Civil Rights Committee, and managed the Missouri Tri State Leadership Program.
Survivors in addition to her husband Darren include her son, Caleb Brinkman and her daughter, Claire Brinkman, both of Centralia, MO; her parents; two sisters, Cathy (Brad) Futrell, and their children Grace and Aden of McLeansboro, IL, and Christie (Aaron) Rawls and their children Drew and Lily of Dahlgren, IL; a brother, Lee (Sara) Hall of Wayne City, IL. Karen was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Ruth Brinkman; grandparents, Dain and Mavis Hall and Art and Genevieve Laird, a step-grandfather, Gene Brinkman, and her uncle, Jerry Hall.
A private family service will be held with Rev. Patricia Reep and Rev. Tony Metz officiating followed by burial in Graymount Cemetery, Coatsburg, Illinois.
To attend the service for Karen remotely, please join us on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 10:00 am Central Time using this link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/4786039
The recording of Karen’s service will be available online for 90 days if you are unable to attend remotely on Tuesday.
Services will also be held at a later date in Centralia, Missouri and in Southern Illinois.
Memorials: Caleb and Claire Brinkman Career Fund
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.