Barbara J. Drinkman

Barbara J Drinkman, a lifelong area resident, passed away after a long illness on March 6, 2022.

She was born September 4, 1943, to Kenneth and Mabel (Hendricks) Hintzman in Menomonie and was a 1961 graduate of Menomonie High School. In September of that year, she married Fred Drinkman of Glenwood City and they shared the next 60 years together. They were especially proud when their family farm joined DATCP’s Century Farm registry in 2003, and state fair cream puffs were brought home to celebrate.

Barb was an avid gardener, and like any farmers, basement shelves were stocked with jams, pickles, and vegetables to provide for her family through the winter. Her granddaughter attributes her love of tomatoes to sharing them fresh off the vine, with a sprinkle of sugar added by grandma. In her later years genealogy became a passion, tracing her family roots through colonial Connecticut and what is now Wales.

Barb is survived by her husband Fred, two sons, Bruce of Ridgeland and Scott (Renee) of Downing, and daughter Diane (Monique) Brockley-Drinkman of Madison; sister Judith (Gari) Spagnoletti of Menomonie, grandchildren Angela, Samantha, Jordan and Erin; great-grandchildren Jalen, Chloe, Lilly, Emory, Ethan, Amelia, Bailey, Anna, and Lyla. She is also survived by in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and their extended families.

She was predeceased by her parents, Fred’s parents, Harry and Bernice, sister Helen Stevens and grandson Joshua Drinkman.

The family will have a private funeral at a later date, per Barb’s wishes.

Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie is serving the family.

To share a memory, please visit www.olsonfuneral.com