Gail P. Mike

Gail P. Mike

December 9, 1947 ~ June 17, 2024

Gail Perrotte Mike 76, of Bellevue, Nebraska was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018, and after a six-year battle with the disease she peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while surrounded by her loving family.

Gail was a loving, supporting, committed, Christian wife – a woman who epitomized Proverbs 31:10-31. She was a priceless woman, the perfect match for her husband David J. Mike. Those who say he married up are exactly correct. Early on they mutually decided she should be a stay-at-home mom as she was dedicated to her children. David safely trusted in Gail to take care of the family when he was away on military trips either short-term or long. Gail was clothed with strength and honor, and was amazingly wise, and would often provide counsel to her children to direct them in the right paths of life. Verse 28 says, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”  And they did. Gail never failed to tell people about the love of Jesus and how he could change their lives. Gail had a wonderful sense of humor and an incredible wit. Their house was constantly filled with laughter. Gail was David’s best friend, his travel companion all over the world, and biggest fan of his guitar playing. She would love to just sit and listen to him play. He said, “I can still hear her voice saying, “That was beautiful Dave.” She was also a supporter of Guitars for Vets – its mission and healing impact on the lives of veterans, and always enjoyed the student graduations and our jam sessions. She would tap her toes, clap her hands, and sing along…and smile at Dave and give him a thumbs up when he played a solo. Gail loved David and her children unconditionally and with her whole heart.  Alzheimer’s never took that away. It took her away after 55 years of wonderful married life, but it never diminished her love for her family, which she displayed even to the very end. For that they are all eternally grateful.  David misses her – her soft voice, her gentle touch, her sweet and compassionate Christian spirit, her incredible knowledge of and ability to apply the Word of God, and her wonderful laugh. David eagerly looks forward to the day when he and Gail will be reunited in eternity.

Gail is survived by her husband David J. Mike of Bellevue, NE; her son David C. Mike and his wife Lindsay of Millard, NE, her son Darren A. Mike and his wife Melody of Cass Lake, MN, her daughter Dana M. Jeffries and her husband Michael from Greenback, TN, and her son Daniel J. Mike and his wife Holly from Papillion, NE; 16 Grandchildren – Illana Mistretta, Miya Giffin, Michael Giffin, Lydia Mike, Jayden Jeffries, Carter Mike, Milina Mike, Tyler Jeffries, Bella Mike, Ezra Mike, Gladyn Mike, McKenzie Mike, Anika Mike, Trinity Mike, Lillian Mike, and Josephine Mike; and one great-grandson – Cash Carnes.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Agnes (O’Hearne) Perrotte, her brother Edward Primeau II, her sister Barbara (Primeau) Brennan, and her sister Carol (Perrotte) Williams.

Gail’s Celebration of Life Ceremony will be Wednesday, June 26, 10:00 a.m., at the Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Rd, Omaha, NE 68138.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Guitars for Vets at www.guitars4vets.org

 REFLECTIONS ON HER LIFE BY HER CHILDREN

 SON ~ DAVID C. MIKE

How do you sum up a life in a few sentences? It’s impossible. However, there are many things I will remember about my mom. Some of my earliest memories are watching soap operas with her in the early 70’s in which she had an entire lineup. There were tall glasses of lemonade placed on the steps for us when we would play outside in the extreme heat of South Carolina. She allowed us to run wild and explore but would strip us naked and hose us off before letting us come back in. Mom was proud of her Irish heritage, just like her mother was, which is where I get it from. There were always Irish knick-knacks around the house. Even though she was Irish, she loved spaghetti and learned to make our grandmother’s sauce, which was always my birthday request meal when I lived at home. She also liked cabbage spaghetti which is weird but we liked it. She even made anchovy spaghetti for my dad. Gross. She passed down her famous Talarine recipe to my wife, so we will remember her every time we eat that meal. My mom encouraged us to memorize scripture and she is the reason that when I remember verses, they are in the King James Version. You would often find an open bible where my mom sat. She loved to give us bookmarks, I collected so many from her over the years. She prayed hard for all of us kids and grandchildren, like her life depended on it. In the darkest part of my life, she was a source of light to me, and sent me a consistent flow of encouragement, through letters, and comics to keep my spirits up. She never gave up on me. I know that she loved me and was proud of me. She loved my wife and children unconditionally and my girls still talk about all of the times they spent at Meme’s, coloring and making food experiments. She was a good sport and my girls would love to make her laugh. Although the last few years have been hard, she never lost her sense of humor, she constantly made us all laugh. Although she struggled with her memory at the end, she never forgot who we were and for that I am eternally grateful to God. We will all miss her but will remember her forever.

SON ~ DARREN A. MIKE

These things are remarkable about Mom to me:

Mom not only taught us about sharing but lived it out by sharing love for others. She was always welcoming others into the family and caring for them. She had a very big heart for those that were hurting and loved to offer a shoulder to cry on. Her love for people grew our family beyond the bonds of blood and we have lots of “extra” brothers and sisters because of her.

I remember whenever I was having a hard time, she would put her arm around me and say “what’s your trouble bubble?” Interestingly, when I’m struggling now with the fact that she’s gone, I can still hear her saying it and it brings me a smile.

Mom was so proud of her Irish heritage – St. Patrick’s day was a legit holiday in our house. And honestly, green was her color – it really brought out a glow in her and really just showed her beauty. Green is NOT my color, but I will never go a St Patrick’s day without wearing it in her honor.

Mom loved to laugh. Her laugh was infectious, spreading mirth throughout the room until you couldn’t help but join in. It would often bring the needed levity to melt the cold, stale specter of serious situations. Even though dementia stole her understanding, her laugh continued all the way to the end, even bringing a sense of comfort and joy in her suffering. It lightens my mood to imagine Jesus being drawn into her laughter and laughing with her.

DAUGHTER ~ DANA M. JEFFRIES

My Mom was more than just my Mom, she was my friend, confidant, my teacher of cooking, cleaning, sewing, my nurse, advice giver and so much more! For my 5th birthday, my Mom sewed and crocheted an entire wardrobe for my Barbies, no telling how many late nights that took!!! I remember, many times, she & I sitting on her bed having talks about her younger days & her giving me advice about friends & heartbreaks. During one of those talks, she gave me a promise ring & asked me to promise to always be a good girl. My finger got jammed & the ring ended up getting cut off, but I tried Mom! All of our friends knew that Friday nights at the Mike’s house was the place to be, My Mom always made her homemade pizza!! She welcomed our friends with open arms, and became Mom to so many! Mom also endured our pranks like a champ!! Daniel & I would be sitting in the back seat of the Nissan, we’d pull the “ripcord” to the front passenger seat, Mom’s seat, & she’d fly backwards into the lying position!! She’d just laugh, we did that a lot!! Or when we’d tip her recliner all the way back to the floor, with her in it, and walk away, her feet straight up in the air! She’d just laugh! When I moved away, I would call my Mom every day, & talk about anything & everything! No matter where I lived, Mom & Dad would come visit! They were even there for the birth of each of my 3 children! She even came to stay with me for 6 months, during my very tough pregnancy! Anytime I needed My Mom, she was there! She sent me so many cards, sent so many emails full of encouragement, uplifting & kind words & Bible verses! I will miss My Mom so much, but I know I can still talk to her every day, & know her mind is whole again! She also has direct contact with ”the big guy” & can put in a good word!! Thank you Mom, for always being there & for everything you’ve done for me! I love you!

SON ~ DANIEL J. MIKE

Gail Perrotte Mike

My Mom was an Irish girl and loved all things Irish.

She loved Jesus, her husband, and her kids dearly.

She loved Jesus and lived for Him. She taught me about Jesus as a boy, then again as a teenager.

She had a vast knowledge and interest in things from Irish folklore to Pop Culture to Natural Science.

She was an Air Force Spouse, she adapted to moving multiple times around the world.

She was an astute listener.  She valued listening as a great attribute because she wanted people to listen to one another.  That’s one of the greatest lessons I learned from her.

She was intuitive and had a good sense when something was wrong.  Because of this she gave great counsel.

She had a way of welcoming anyone and making them feel like they were a part of our family.  Throughout the years, many people would come into our lives because they felt so welcome as if they were really a part of the Mike family.

She was a great writer and had great cursive handwriting. From notes in my lunchboxes as a child, to multiple page letters when I was away from home at Yellowstone and throughout my career in the military.

She loved music, especially from the 50s-60s, loved to dance along and sing to the songs.  I remember her especially loving 2 songs: These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra and You Don’t Own Me by Leslie Gore.