The daughter of August F. Brinkmann and Matilda Hattemer, Lena married George Herman Placke around 1898, probably in Missouri. They were the parents of 2 children.

The Plackes lived in St. Louis at the turn of the century, where George was employed as an iron moulder. By 1910, he worked as a finisher in a furniture factory, but took a job as a packer with Krey Packing Company by 1918. A short time after that, he was a laborer at a chemical company.

Lena and George's daughter, Matilda, married Robert Maurice Gallagher in the late 1910's. He was a salesman for a bread company in St. Louis, and the couple lived with the Plackes. Later in his career, Robert became a supervisor for a wholesale bakery in California.

George, Lena, Elmer, Matilda and Robert moved to Los Angeles, California sometime between January and December of 1920. George worked as a packer in a warehouse there.

The Plackes' daughter, Matilda, gave birth to their only known granddaughter, Orin H. Gallagher, on 24 Dec 1920 in Los Angeles. Lena and George's son, Elmer, married Clara Hayden in the mid to late 1920's.

Lena's widowed sister, Lizzie Brinkmann Ottie, lived in California with the Plackes around 1930 for a while.

After Lena and George's son, Elmer, was divorced, sometime in the 30's, he moved back home and lived with his parents. Matilda and her husband lived next door to them at that time.

When she died in 1953, Lena was 72 years, 4 months and 30 days old. She was survived by her husband, George, who passed away in 1956.

Children: 1 son, 1 daughter.

Mother of:
Elmer August David Placke
Matilda Ida Placke Gallagher

Lena's siblings:
Katherine "Katie" Brinkmann Gubser
Caroline M. "Carrie" Brinkmann Becker
August Henry Brinkman, Sr.
Anna C. Brinkman Goetz
Elizabeth Matilda "Lizzie" Brinkman Ottie
Matilda Augusta "Tillie" Brinkmann Twichell