Louis Milberger

Louis (Louie) J. Milberger, age 71, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away November 29, 2016 at The University of Kansas Medical Center. Louis was born on October 18, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Milton and Esther (Hammond) Milberger.

Louis was raised in the termite & pest control industry with multiple family members participating in the profession within the Kansas City area. He worked in this industry for all of his life. He bought his father's business in the early 70's when his father, Milton Milberger, retired. From there, he built his empire and called it Louis Milberger's Termite & Pest Control. Louie had many stories of clients throughout the decades that he had serviced since his youth when he worked for his father. He considered his customers as friends and always treated them as such. Louie took a break from the pest control industry around 2008 but then re-entered in 2014 at Focused Xtermination alongside his former wife, Sondra Kerbey, and their children, David Louis & Lauren Tess. He helped expand the Termite Division of Focused Xtermination and was, as expected, extremely successful. Businesses and individuals across the Kansas City area knew Louis Milberger as an honest, trustworthy, friendly, and a competent professional who they could rely on to do his best work and treat them fairly. His work ethic and immense professionalism are impossible to replace. The industry has truly lost a dedicated professional of 50+ years.

If you knew Louie, you knew his love for the game of pool. Louie was an adamant pool player and thoroughly enjoyed his Tuesday night league where he played for 20+ years. He played in the Hustler Division first in Mission, Kansas and most recently in Shawnee, Kansas. He even took his talents to the VNEA tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Midwest 8-Ball Championship Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa. In order to allow for all types of pool shots to easily be made at home on his 9' table, the table sat proudly in the middle of his large living room to accommodate its size. One of his pool playing buddies referred to him as a "pool playing enthusiast." Being as skilled as he was meant playing a game of pool with Louie was a game many have never forgotten.

Louis also loved The Lake of the Ozarks. He had a boat docked at Millstone Lodge for 20+ years. The steaks from his grill were legendary and his enjoyment in the family and friends who would join him on the dock for the weekend and holidays always made it special. The better years of his life were spent on his boat & in the lake with the warmth of the summer sun beaming off the water.

Louie's greatest delight was in his children and grandchildren and the children and grandchildren of his dear companion of 10 years, Karen Bayne. His heart was always open, loving, and accepting. In 1999 when David and Tess were teens, Louie openly welcomed his daughter born in 1966. Biological daughter, Amy, found great acceptance and love in the "reuniting" and Louie added greatly to the fatherly love in her life. His "new" grandsons Erik, Andrew & Adam (ages 7, 5 & 1 at the time) were blessed to have "Grandpa Louie" as part of their family. He was so proud of them and loved them dearly, often commenting about the "Milberger blood" and characteristics they had in them. Louie was later blessed again in 2010 & 2011 by his daughter Tess, when she gave him two beautiful granddaughters, Miranda Elyn & Lucinda Pearl. Louie used many of his antique tools to build them a large "toy box" that will be a treasure to them as they grow. Hours have were happily spent by Louie in the company of Karen's children and grandchildren enjoying baseball and basketball games, holidays, and family events. Their love and acceptance of him was a great blessing to Louie as well and brought him much happiness.

Louie is survived by daughter: Amy Kjellin and husband Doug, of Marion, Kansas; son: David Louis Milberger, of Lenexa, Kansas; daughter: Lauren Tess Milberger Caldwell, of Lenexa, Kansas; five grandchildren; former-wife: Sondra Kerbey; and brother: Jerry Milberger.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 am on December 17, 2016 in the Chapel at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, Kansas, 66224.

Family and friends are invited to gather after the service at one of Louie's favorite restaurants, Panzon's, located at 8710 Lackman Road, Lenexa, KS, after the service to eat and reminisce on the life and times of the dear man that will be missed by all who knew him.

Memorial donations may be made to NBKC, c/o Louis Milberger Family, to assist with final expenses.