Erika Brink, 82 passed away at her home in Salem, OR with her family and her faithful German Shepherd Dog, Mick, at her side. Erika was born in Neupoland, Kr. Krummau Czechoslovakia in 1939 to Friedrich and Aloisia Schimek. Her family relocated to Germany after WWII. Erika immigrated to the US when she was 20 and ended up in Anchorage in 1964. She met her husband, Richard B. Brink when they both worked at Paxon Lodge on the old Denali Highway. Erika was known for her work with German Shepherds and the Search and Rescue group “DOGS”. She bred German Shepherds under the kennel name “Gaitaway Shepherds” and was involved in many dog sports. She was a lifetime member of the GSDC of America. Erika was a dog groomer in the Anchorage Area for many years and retired from the Anchorage School district as a custodian.
Erika was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Brink, her parents, and her sister Hedy Ferber. She is survived by her partner of 38 years, Kristi Jacobs of Salem, OR, her sister Trude Mechelke of Germany, her sons Richard (Fran) Brink of Anchorage, Eric (Patricia) Brink of AZ, step daughters Liberty (Ray) Lally of NY, and Chelsey (Kelly) Hamlin of CO. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Codi (Aaron) Armstrong, Logan Brink and Lance Brink of Anchorage, Dylan and Jake Lally of NY and Ella and Emmy Hamlin of CO. Her great grandsons, Jack and Camden Armstrong of Anchorage were the light of her life when they came to visit her in Salem. She also leaves many nieces and nephews in Germany.
A celebration of life will be held in the near future in Salem, OR. In lieu of monetary donations or flowers, the family requests that you “pay it forward” or do a kind deed for someone in need.
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