Visitation will be on Friday, Sept.16, 2022, from 3-7 p.m. at the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye and will continue on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the North entrance of the church.

A funeral service will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.

The clergy will be Fr. Tanner Thooft.

Interment will be at the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.

A time of fellowship will be held in the church social room following the interment.

The family would prefer memorials to the donors choice in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye/live.

Dean was born Aug. 3, 1963, in Sleepy Eye to Dr. Don and Donna (Dieltz) Brinkman. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1981 and attended and played baseball at DMACC in Boone, Iowa, followed by St. Cloud State University. Dean continued with his Doctor of Chiropractic at Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington.

On Nov. 3, 1991, Dean was married to Sandy (Polesky). They were blessed with three children, Alex, Deonna and Carter, to make their family complete. Dean was a faith-filled, God-loving man, who devoted his daily life serving him as a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend and chiropractor. Family meant everything to Dean, and he was not shy about expressing that love and devotion to Sandy, his kids, parents, brothers, in-laws and extended family. He was so proud of Alex, Deonna, and Carter. He was the epitome of a strong and supportive role model.

Dean’s life mission was taking care of others, whether it was his family, patients, neighbors or friends. In 1988, Dean joined his father and friend, Dr. Matt Kirschstein, at Sleepy Eye Chiropractic. For 30-plus years, Dr. Dean provided care and friendship to his patients, who were very important to him. He considered it a privilege to treat them. He always found a way to fit people into his schedule when they were hurting and needed to get back to their lives. He had a special place in his heart for athletes. He knew how important it was for them to get back on the field/court.

Most would agree Dean was a social butterfly. He had a wonderful way of making you feel comfortable, welcome and valued in conversation. He thrived being in the presence of others. He had an ability to make people smile and laugh. He was first to get the party started and key to forming social gatherings. Laughter filled any room or space he entered. He enjoyed many hobbies, baseball being one of his favorites. He was an outstanding baseball player, playing many years in college and amateur ball. He had an immense passion and knowledge of the game, and he shared that love volunteering endless hours coaching and assisting with youth baseball and serving on various baseball boards. He was so excited to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s appearance in his hometown and home ballpark. Dean’s early morning, daily routine began with his network of many friends via texts with the BTG aka Baseball Texting Group and his high school friend group-sharing baseball history, opinions, stats and reminiscing about childhood shenanigans. These texts would create robust laughter heard across his home. Dean’s love of baseball was most recently on display as a dedicated fan of #9 and the Winona State Warriors. He never missed a game. It didn’t matter how far he needed to travel. Being at the ballpark and watching his son play brought him the greatest joy. Besides baseball, Dean enjoyed spending time at the cabin, playing (winning) board/card games, mowing the lawn, collecting baseball memorabilia and volunteering for many community organizations. He demonstrated great civic pride. Dean could have had a second career as a writer. He had an amazing ability to put words to paper, allowing his readers to journey with him down memory lane. He really enjoyed this newly found hobby and one of his goals/hopes was to write a book about local and Minnesota baseball greats.

Most recently, Dean loved spending time with his parents for morning coffee and with his brother, Dan, over a philosophical game of cribbage.

Dean is survived by his wife, Sandy; children, Alex (Brandon Bode), Deonna (Zach White) and Carter; parents, Dr. Don and Donna; brother, Dan (Vicki) Brinkman; mother-in-law, Dorothy Polesky; sisters-in-law, Linda (Jerry) Haala, Linel (Mike) Reiber, Julie Vogeler, Monica (Mark) Augustin, Karen (Alistair) Jacques; brother-in-law Brian (Carol) Polesky; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Brinkman; father-in-law, Ed Polesky; and brother-in-law, Bill Vogeler.

For funeral attire, the family requests you wear what you feel honors Dean — whether it’s your business or church attire or your favorite baseball or sports jersey. Blessed be his memory.

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