Michael Brown, your wisdom, insight, compassion and true understanding for the position we were in made all the difference in the world.  You were right...you became and remained ""our best friend"" through this journey of unbelievable grief, heartache and sadness and you will REMAIN my best friend.  Yes, Bert and my journey will continue one day...how can it not as love never really dies.  Bless you, Monika Zielke

Bert was one of my service techs years ago at SMS.  He was the one tech you could always count on.

Marcel D. Van Someren

I met Monika in a support group in 2003 when both our husbands were battling colon cancer. From day 1 Bert and Monika have been a team battling the cancer together. It has been a long hard journey fought with courage and strength.
Throughout that time I would pray and encourage them to fight praying that the treatments would be effective and rejoice when I could say I TOLD YOU SO and Bert's cancer would go into remission.

Many of you are going to share stories of Bert as well you should He deserves to be remembered for the wonderful person he is. He was strong no doubt but part of that strength came from YOU Monika. 

Monika, you are now on a new journey. Every bit as hard maybe harder than the cancer journey. 9 years ago, when my husband Phil died, I stood in your shoes.  My life as I had known it was forever changed. I have felt and still feel many of the things you are feeling. I wondered how I could possibly go on without my husband my other half. It has not been easy but here I am still standing. It has literally been one breath one moment one day at a time.

The tears will come my friend. Don't you ever be ashamed of them for they are a beautiful symbol of your love. As time goes on you will find your own ways to cope. You'll find strength you never knew you had. I imagine Bert and my Phil as being friends now.And I picture them watching over us day by day with pride as we walk this path the best way we know how.

Rest assured that one day my dear friend you'll look back to today and wonder how you ever got so far
and once again I'll smile and say:

See?   I TOLD YOU SO 

 God's peace be with you,
Hugs  prayers and much love,

~Narice~

Monika, caring for Bert and you was a joy and honor.  I will always remember his spirit and your love of each other.  You both taught me a lot.  May God hold you both in his heart during this period of grief and loss.  You will reunite some day and your journey can continue!
Dr. Michael Brown

I wish I could say I had known Bert for years, but I only met him for a few moments just a few weeks ago.  It was a pleasant surprise, as I really hadn't expected to get to meet Monika's ""beloved Bert, aka BB"".  I have to say that despite the severity of his illness at the time, his light shone through, and the twinkle in his eye was there.  There was so much love inside him, grace, dignity and confidence.  I truly wish I'd been able to know him before all the ravages of disease overcame him.  I know his spirit will live on in Monika and Michael, as they continue to honor him in their daily lives. 

My deepest, heartfelt sympathies and hope for a brighter future.
So very much love,
Lee Salm

I am truly saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person.  Bert was special to our family as he and Monika became such dear friends to my parents.  Bert and I loved to share Vegas gambling stories.  He loved the slots just as I do and always had tips and advice to give me. I can still hear his words ringing in my ears ""always go for dollar slots and always be prepared to put a wad of hundreds in.  It takes money to make the money.  The machine will pay off eventually"".  

My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to Monika and Michael.  We were all blessed to have had him in our lives.  

Maria

My deepest sympathies.  I know this has been a long hard battle.  May happy memories bring you comfort and peace.  xo Alice Nowak (fellow LS fighter)

OBITUARY

Norbert Zielke

January 5, 1951 – October 28, 2014

Resthaven Memory Gardens Funeral & Cremation

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