Bernard "Bernie" Charles Milke

Bernie (Bernard) August Charles Milke, age 73, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA. Bernie was born in Los Angeles, CA on June 9, 1950 to Frederick J. and Ruth (Stolinski-Mraz) Milke. Bernie graduated from St John’s Seminary School with a Bachelor’s degree. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1972. He was joined in matrimony to his bride, Judy Lea Ost on August 11, 1973 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Omaha. Together they took care of many foster children. They also adopted three beautiful daughters, Cindy, Jennifer, and Sara. Bernie and Judy celebrated 50 years of marriage in August.

Bernie proudly served with the Omaha Police Department for 26 years before retiring from active duty. After the 9/11 attacks he was compelled as a patriot to return to work at Eppley Airfield with the Airport Authority for 15 years before retiring again to an acreage near Malvern, IA. Bernie’s hobbies included: fishing, Husker football games, playing cards, decorating for Christmas, and rock hounding/collecting.

Preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather John Mraz, and sister Pat Poindexter (Milke). He is survived by his wife Judy (Ost) Milke, sister Freda Milke of Milbrae CA, daughter Cindy (Milke) Lawson and husband, Mat, of Lincoln, NE, daughter Jennifer (Milke) Weeks and wife, Betsy, of Malvern, IA, and daughter Sara (Milke) Kennedy and husband, Mike, of Ashland, NE; 8 grandchildren, Jason Robertson and his wife, Sarah, Ryan Lawson, Benjamin Milke, Nicholas Arley-Young and his wife, Mary, Trevella (Lawson) Gleeson and her husband, Adam, Donovan Thompson-Grimm, Juriah Lawson, and Matthew Kennedy; 4 great-grandchildren Benjamin Milke Jr, Jasper Milke, Nicholas Arley-Young III, and Bentley Gleeson; many nieces and nephews.

The family will be hosting a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 29th at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home on 5701 Center St, Omaha, NE. Those wishing to remember Bernie in a special way may make a gift of remembrance to the family. Mail to Judy Milke, 58804 295th St, Malvern, IA 51551.