Willis A. Brinkmann

Willis A. Brinkmann, 87, of Ponca, NE, passed away at a Sioux City hospital on Monday, March 10, 2014.Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 14, 2014 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE with Rev. Dr. Bud Christenson and Rev. Nile Buch officiating.. Burial will be in the Ponca City Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca, NE. Online condolences to the family may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Willis was born September 20, 1926 in Fairbury, NE, the son of William and Olive (Elscher) Brinkmann. He grew up on the family farm near Cortland, NE and graduated from Cortland High School, and also graduated from Lincoln Business School where he received a degree in Bookkeeping. Willis served in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1953 and then worked for the State of Nebraska as an auditor of public accounts for 33 years until he retired in 1988.Willis married Connie J. (Bauman) on September 10, 1961 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE. To this union four sons, Curtis, David, Steven and James were born. Throughout his life Willis enjoyed amateur radio operation, building his own televisions and radios, photography, camping, fishing, working on cars and spending time with his family. He was a pianist and organist for Salem Lutheran Church for 34 years and especially enjoyed playing for the children's choir. Willis also served as Salem's Treasurer for twenty years, Memorial Fund Treasurer for eleven years, served on the Church Council numerous times and was involved in many other church activities. Survivors include his wife, Connie of Ponca, NE; sons, Curtis and wife, Renee of Firth, NE, David of Lincoln, NE, Steven and wife, Marni of Ponca and their son, Andrew, and Jim and wife, Kristina of Vermillion, SD and their daughters, Brianna, Kailee and Emma; and numerous relatives and friends.Willis was preceeded in death by his parents.