He leaves behind a vacuum that was once filled with smiles, laughter, and thoughtfulness. Brad was a prized product of the Cornhusker State and was born, raised, and proudly lived his entire life in Lincoln. As a loving family man, he was attentive to the needs of his parents, supportive of his brothers and sisters, and was a caring husband to his wife.
Brad was a graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School, Class of 1984, where he excelled in tennis and participated in other sports and academic activities. The University of Nebraska counts him among their alumni after conferring upon him the bachelor’s degree in social sciences.
His professional career centered on personal insurance programs through his employment with the AllState Insurance Company for over 20 years. He was known, both personally and professionally, for his many virtuous attributes including honesty with others and integrity in his endeavors. He embodied a tireless work ethic toward his career and applied that same energy to helping those whose lives he touched. In his leisure time, Brad enjoyed tennis and Pickle Ball and leveraged his talents as a tennis player to excel in national-level competitions. His personal interest in the Big Red provided his family and friends with an expansive mental curation of Husker sports. His recounting of 1990’s football games equated to a verbal highlight reel that elevated those accomplishments, through excited embellishment, to near mythical status. And, although his footprints have stopped, his legacy lives on through the love he shared with his wife, his family, and his friends.
Bradley Berka is survived by his wife, Debra Berka of Lincoln; stepdaughters, Danielle Varacchi, Atlanta, GA, Diandra Craig and Devin Lusk both of St. Petersburg, FL; mother, Donna Berka of Lincoln; brother Reg Berka and wife Angela of Houston; sister Diane Mayberger and husband John of Crete. He was preceded in death by his father Melvin A. Berka, his brother Doug Berka, and his sister Karen Lind-Olson.
Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 “O” St., Lincoln, NE.
A Rosary will be held at 10:00 AM followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM Wednesday May 20, 2026, at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church 7601 Vine St., Lincoln, NE. Burial in Fairview Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Association.