SIOUX CITY -- Michael W. Milbrodt, 56, of Sioux City died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at his residence following a lengthy illness.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ed Frank officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the U.S. Army Reserves. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Chaplain Mike Inman officiating, at the funeral home. The body will be cremated following the visitation. Condolences may be sent online to christysmith.com.
Michael W. Milbrodt was born Jan. 7, 1954, in Sioux City, the son of Wayne and Lila (Hobbs) Milbrodt. He was raised in Sioux City. He served with the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1992. During his 21 years, he wore many different hats, usually he was an airborne infantryman. He also was an airborne instructor, drill instructor, marksmanship instructor and a special operations civil affairs representative. He served in Germany, Italy and did two tours in Korea. He saw combat in Grenada as a platoon sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division. He served in Panama and the Gulf War with Special Operations Command. He retired in 1992, achieving the rank of sergeant first class. His awards and decoration include the Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Drill Instructor Badge and a Presidential Unit Citation. Following his service, he returned to Sioux City.
He married Lori Paulson in 1994. He graduated from Briar Cliff University in 1995, with a major in business and a minor in accounting. He worked at the U.S. Post Office until December 2006.
He was a member of the U.S. Postal Union. He enjoyed fishing and cooking. He was a big Iowa Hawkeye fan.
Survivors include his wife, Lori of Sioux City; his children, Kelsey Paulson and Taylor Paulson, both at home, David Milbrodt and his wife, Sami of Vacaville, Calif., Jennifer Milbrodt of Raleigh, N.C., Chad Paulson and his wife, Melissa and their two children, Marco and Caden Paulson, all of Sioux City, Jessica Paulson and her friend, Chris Gaikwad of Kansas City, Mo., and Travis Paulson and his fiancee, Amber Vaught of Sioux City; his father, Wayne and Marilyn Milbrodt of Sioux City; his mother, Lila Phillips of Indianapolis, Ind.; two sisters, Debbie Phillips and her husband, Alan and Lisa Shelton and her husband, Matt, all of Indianapolis; and a brother, Jeff Milbrodt of Indianapolis.
He was preceded in death by two children, Charles Milbrodt and Jessica Milbrodt.
Pallbearers will be the Good Ol'Boys, Dave Olson, Bill Conlon, Gaylord Lahr, Pat Schooley, Dan Bode and Cousin Ron.