Dorothy Clara Brinker

Dorothy Clara Brinker, age 88, of Baraboo, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, at SSM Health-St. Mary’s Hospital with family near her side.

Dorothy “Dory” was born to Melvin and Lucille (White) Bower on July 5, 1937, on a farm outside of Nora, IL. She graduated from Stockton High School, Class of 1954.  She was united in marriage to Dale Donald Brinker in Stockton, IL on June 20, 1956, and they had just celebrated their 70^th wedding anniversary together. Dorothy was a self-employed beautician from 1960 to 1980. She then worked at Mount Horeb State Bank from 1981 to 1987 before continuing her career in the banking industry at First National Bank and Trust in Baraboo until her retirement.

Throughout the years, she loved cooking and entertaining her family, going to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, as well as golfing, which over the years included three club championships and three holes-in-one.  She also enjoyed traveling to Florida with family and friends.  To her family and friends, she was the truest definition of love—gentle, kind, and unforgettable.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Dale; children, Kirk (Denise) Brinker of Baraboo, Jill (Paul) Dybdahl of Black Earth, Doug (Lisa) Brinker of Baraboo, and Amy (Tom) Laxton of Rhinelander; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Marvin Bower of Dakota, IL; other relatives and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, LaVerne Bower; and her granddaughter, Allyse Marie.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9th, 2026 at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home in Baraboo. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11a.m. with Pastor Ron Bupp officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Walnut Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to a charity of choice.

The family would like to thank the wonderful hospice staff at SSM-Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.