Bonnie Brinkman

Funeral Services for Bonnie Brinkman age 87 of Blair, NE will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017 at First Congregation United Church of Christ in Neligh, NE with Pastor John Petersen, Officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Church Saturday. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Neligh, NE. Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Neligh is handling the arrangements. Bonnie passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair, NE. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com Bonnie Udey Brinkman was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, on November 3rd, 1930 to Dr. Ross and Laura (Jones) Campbell. Bonnie and her mother moved to Neligh after the death of her father in 1934. Bonnie attended the Congregational Church for 43 years. She graduated from Neligh High School in 1948. Bonnie married Gene Udey in February 1949. To this union were born four children: Diana, Douglas, Ross and Scott. Bonnie worked for Krotter's Lumber and Hardware as bookkeeper/clerk for more than 20 years. Gene passed away in 1991. Bonnie married Ernest Brinkman in 2001. Bonnie and Ernie spent the winter months in Arizona. Bonnie and Ernie moved to Legacy Estates in Lincoln, NE, in September 2011. Ernie passed away in April 2015. Her first job after graduation was with Consumer Public Power. In later years, she worked as the bookkeeper for the JCPenney store. Bonnie kept books for her husband's construction business for many years. She was instrumental in organizing the Meals on Wheels Program for Neligh and Oakdale. Bonnie was the first director of the Senior Citizen Center in Neligh. Bonnie enjoyed making things for her grandchildren, everything from dresses and shirts to dolls and teddy bears. Her passions included photography, oil painting, coin collecting, music, puzzles, flower gardening, camping, and Nebraska Football. Bonnie's church associations were important to her as was her membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a former Worthy Matron and held several other offices. Bonnie was a dedicated member of several organizations including Women's Fine Arts Club and Girl Scouts. Bonnie is survived by her children and their spouses: Diana and Matt Holahan of Lawrence, KS; Ross and Susan Udey of Blair, NE; Scott and Willa Udey of Topeka, KS; and stepson, Dave and Mary Brinkman of Surprise, AZ. Other family members include six grandchildren; two step grandsons; nineteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Bonnie was preceded in death by husband, Gene Udey, and by her husband, Ernie Brinkman; one son, Douglas Udey; one son-in-law, Robert Weber; and one granddaughter, Nicole Udey.