Donna C. Brinker

Donna Clare Grus Brinker of Washington, passed away on September 14, 2020. She was born November 9, 1937.  Youngest child of William and Cecelia Grus. Donna was the wife of the late Edward H. Brinker.

Mrs. Brinker was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward Brinker; siblings, Glennon Grus, Bill Grus, Mary Alice Brueggemann and husband Adolph, and Donald Grus and wife Bernice and In-laws, Ralph Brinker, James Brinker, Rita Whitworth, and Gene Kosulic.

Among her survivors are her children, Glenda Sullentrup of Crestwood, Jerome Brinker of Mesa, AZ, Deborah Albert and husband Jean Potvin of St. Jacob, IL, Mary Bante and husband Joseph of Webster Groves, and Thomas Brinker and Shelley Binkley of Columbia; sister, Jane Gerner and husband Virgil of Washington; grandchildren, Jeremy Sullentrup, Jane Sullentrup Stanley, John Albert V, Suzanne Albert, Henry Bante, and Owen Bante; nine great-grandchildren; In-laws, Verna Kosulic, Lester Brinker and wife Alice, Donald “Duck” Brinker and wife Luella, Harold Brinker and wife Diane “Tuddy”, Herbert Brinker Jr. and wife Connie, Jeanette Brinker, Lorine Brinker, and Merald Whitworth.

Everyone knew Donna as an extraordinary seamstress, but her passion was quilting.  She was a member of the Piecemaker’s Quilt Club for 15+ years, and the Missouri State Quilters Guild for 10 years.  She organized quilters for St. Francis Borgia’s Quilt Auction and quilted with every quilter’s group in the region, which often kept her busy five days a week.  The speed, precision, and color selection of her quilts was so unique to her, people would say, “that’s a Donna Brinker quilt.”

She was an avid volunteer. She worked the Saturday afternoon Mass at Cedarcrest Manor for 40 years with her husband, Edward.  She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish and helped for many years at the annual Church Picnic, and scheduled workers for the Church’s soda stand at the Washington Fair.  She donated hundreds of quilts for church raffles and made hundreds of baby onesies for the Missions.  The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary named her Lady of the Year in 2010. 

In lieu of a traditional visitation, there will be a motorcade procession visitation at the Elks Lodge, from 9-11 am on Friday, September 18, 2020.  Please enter the parking lot from 5th Street.  Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Friday, September 18 at 12 P.M.  The family is requiring all attendees wear masks.  Due to Covid-19 health and safety concerns, the gravesite service will be for family only, and there will not be a luncheon.  The family is looking forward to hosting a celebratory gathering in the future. Memorial donations can be made to the Crisis Nursery or any local food pantry.

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