Bernadette (Bernie) Murlene entered this life on January 26, 1936. She passed into the arms of God on Sunday October 22, 2023. Bernadette was born to Ethel and Charles Brown in Sioux Falls, SD where she grew up.
At age 4, Bernadette joined her brothers and sisters “The Brown Kiddies” performing on stage.  They performed throughout the Midwest.  They also had a weekly radio show on KSOO.  
Bernadette married Milton “Milt” Millard on August 14, 1954. Together they began the first chapter of their fifty-three year Marriage. Milt was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. Their son was born in August the same year.  After the military, they relocated to Huron, SD where Milt resumed his career with the telephone company.  
In the late 1960’s Bernadette went back to college, graduating in 1970 from Northwest College Of Commerce.
Bernadette’s first job after graduating from college was to be the secretary for the South Dakota Democratic Party.  She worked shoulder to shoulder to get Dick Kneip elected governor and Jim Aborourezk to the U.S. House Of Representatives.  After the election, an opportunity arose to be the assistant to the administrator at St. John’s Hospital in Huron.    
In the late 1970’s, Bernadette was ready for a new challenge.  She started a medical billing business for doctors and specialists called Millard Financial Services.  As her business grew, she automated with an IBM System 23.  A year later she purchased the first IBM System 36 sold in the state.
In 1989 Bernadette and Milt decided to retire and move to Sioux Falls where most of their family lived.  They enjoyed retirement, spending time entertaining family, friends and neighbors.  Bernadette and Milt divided their time between Sioux Falls and Mesa, AZ  
Bernadette was always there for a person in need.  Her door was open to anyone.  As a child, Bernadette’s mother taught the children to share what they have with others in need.  Bernadette’s faith was very strong throughout her life.     
This past summer a nurse at the memory care unit where Bernadette lived said she always prays before going to bed.    
Bernadette was preceded in death by her husband Milton, her parents, and her siblings, Juletta, Lila, Arlene, Sister Lorraine, Bobby, and Albert.
Grateful for sharing her life is her son, Michael, daughter-in-law Jacqueline, beloved grandsons, Zachary and Alexander, Sister Donna Brown, Marilyn (Brown) Boese and family, Joanna (Brown) Salmon, Michelle & Jim Cooper and family, Peggy Oettinger, Lori Oettinger Thompson, Ted “Christy” Chrisopulos and family, Ted Thoms and family.

A Wake Service with Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home on Friday November 3, 2023, with a Catholic Funeral Mass on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls at 10:30a.m.