Ann Brink of Hermiston died on April 7, 2023 at the age of 88.
She was born Anna Marie Jantz on April 11, 1934 in Wolf Point, Mont. to Henry Jantz and Mary Berg Jantz. She was the younger sister to Peter Jantz.
Ann attended public schools through 8th grade and then went on to graduate high school from Lustre Bible Academy in 1951. After moving to California, Ann attended Reedley Junior College until she found employment in an office and eventually became a legal secretary. In April 1956, Ann met her future husband, William “Bill” Brink. They had an immediate attraction to each other and eloped on June 23, 1956. She said she knew she would always be happy to see him.
Ann continued to work until their first daughter, Catherine Ann, was born. A second daughter, Karen Diane, followed and a son, Thomas William, completed their family. Those years of early marriage were filled with love, laughter and lots and lots of moving. Ann never tired of the adventure of seeing someplace new or learning a new creative venture to keep busy. After several moves, they settled in San Jose, Calif. and stayed there until moving to Lompoc, Calif. in 1977. It was in Lompoc that Ann learned the art of ceramics and set up a ceramics studio in her garage. For several years her pottery was featured at local festivals and in the gallery of the Lompoc Valley Art Association, of which she was a member.
Ann moved to Hermiston in 2018, along with Catherine and her dog, Lucy Joy. Ann went to her rest exactly 67 years from the day she met her husband, Bill. She was just short of her 89th birthday on April 11, which was also Bill’s birthday.
Ann is survived by daughters, Catherine Brink and Karen Lifshay; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and Lucy.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother; as well as her husband, Bill, and her son, Thomas.
Plans for a memorial service are pending.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
