Bernard Joseph Alfers, age 90, Council Bluffs, passed away March 31, 2023.

Bernard was born June 29, 1932 in Neola Iowa. He was the 2nd of 4 children of John Herman Alfers and Florence Alfers. Bernard was a 1950 graduate of St. Joseph High School in Neola and he proudly served his country in the US Army from 1953-55. He was a sheet metal worker and worked that trade from 1964 thru 1996 when he retired.

Bernard was a lifelong resident of Minden, IA; where he served the American Legion for over 50 years and a fireman for 19 years serving as a chief, assistant chief and training officer. He also served 1 term as a city council member. On February 4, 1956 Bernard married Louise Kautzky and to this union he had 6 children.

In addition to his parents, Herman and Florence, Bernard was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; daughter, Nancy Madsen; grandson, Christopher Madsen; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Edward and Doris Kautzky, brothers-in-laws: Frank Kautzky, Donald Kautzky, Robert Masker and Donald Fisher.

Bernard is survived by his children: Joe (April) Alfers of Kansas City, Missouri, Jane (Don) Barnes of Shelby, IA, Karen (Robert) Conklin of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary Kay (Tony) Waltz of Minden Iowa and Gina (Mike) Hackett of Winterset, Iowa; life partner Karen Borrink of Council Bluffs and her children: Debbie (Robert) Pogge of Minden, Iowa and David Borrink of Sioux City, Iowa; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; siblings: Betty Masker, Margaret Fisher and Jack (Marilyn) Alfers, and many other family members and lifelong friends.

Visitation Tuesday 3:30 p.m. with Recitation of the Rosary at 4:00 p.m. An additional visitation will follow until 6:00pm at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Neola. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 10:30 a.m. also at church. Interment St. Patrick's Cemetery, Neola. Military rites by the Minden American Legion Post 437. Luncheon will follow at St. Patrick's Social Hall.