Bernard E. "Bernie" Staib

Funeral Services for Bernard E. “Bernie” Staib, 90, Madison, will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison.  Reverend Donna Goltry will officiate.  Burial will be Crown Hill Cemetery in Madison.  Military honors conducted by the Nebraska National Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post 35, VFW Post 5763 and the American Legion Riders.  Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday at Resseguie Funeral Home in Madison.

He passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019 at his home in Madison.

Bernard Edward was born August 22, 1928 in a stone house near Windsor, North Dakota to his parents Edward and Magdalena (Boetsch) Staib.  He grew up on the family farm near Windsor and attended country school.  Bernie traveled with his dad to many states with his “Miracle Horses” horse shows.  In 1946, the family moved to the Madison area.

On August 12, 1954, Bernard was united in marriage to Bernadine Keifer.  From this union, four children were born:  Ben, Bonnie, Berton and Brett.

Bernie worked for Ted Scheer on the farm, Bob & Bill’s Gas Station, and A.W. Lafleur & Sons.  In 1951, he was drafted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea War from 1951 to 1952.  Bernie received the Silver Star.  After returning from Korea, he went back to Bob & Bill’s and later was hired by Vic Freundenburg to be Chief of Police in Madison for four years.  Then, Bernie was hired by Burt Ray as a Madison County Sheriff Deputy where he worked for forty-two years.  For twenty-five years, he served as Chief Deputy. In 2005, he retired at the age of 77. 

When Bernie was not being a Deputy, he also had a tree business on the side.  He loved going to auctions and sold antiques for years.

On May 3, 1991, he married Mary Jo Reeves.  The couple lived on an acreage and operated Taylor Creek RV Park and a petting zoo. 

Bernie loved to go to coffee break and visit with his friends and tell stories.  He had many “toys” he loved to show people. 

He is survived by wife, Mary Jo, children Bonnie (Jerry) Schulz of Battle Creek, Berton (Christine) Staib of Evansville, IN and Brett (Lisa) Staib of Waipahu, HI, grandchildren Zach Schulz, Molly Zimmerman, Austin Staib, Ashley Staib, Tristan Staib and Ethan Staib, three great grandchildren, sister Vi Bessey, and brother Adam Staib.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, son Ben, who passed in 2012, sisters Irene Spencer and Anne Gates, and brother Eddie Staib.

 Service Information