Updated: Family, Friends Mourn Waukesha Woman Killed in Crash

Kristin Bear, 39, of Waukesha, was a “proud mother” and “larger than life,” according to Waukesha Patch Facebook commenters.

Bear was killed after the vehicle she was driving in the Town of Mukwonago hit a tree Monday afternoon, according to the Lake Country Reporter.

“Anyone who grew up in Waukesha all knew and loved her! My deepest prayers go out to her family,” wrote Mandi M. on Facebook.

“She was larger than life, a proud mother and a very real person that everyone loved,” Jennie said on Facebook. “She has touched many lives and will be missed by so many.”

Bear’s LinkedIn account says she worked at Alloy Products Corp. as a manufacturing administrator. It also says she graduated from Waukesha South High School.

Here's Bear's obituary:

Kristin L. Bear
May 8, 1973 to January 21, 2013

Kristin L. Bear, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 at age 39.  She will continue her musical journey and meet up with Jerry and the band...

Survived by her daughter, Jaryn Isabel; her mother, Mary Bear; sister Betsy (Tim Hoff) Bear Hoff; brother, Craig (Heather) Bear Jr.; aunt, Jill Collins; cousins, Noah (Jenny) Collins, Matt (Gina) Collins; cousin Stacy (Matt) Wirth; uncle Joe Vick, aunt and uncle Ted and Sue Bear, cousin Wendy (Erik) Vandermause; great uncle Stan Piza; 'aunt' Pam Peffer and nieces and nephews: Natalie, Nessa, Cameron Bear, Lila, Damian, Violet Collins, Quinn, Enzo Collins, Ethan and Colin Vandermause.  Many other special friends and family members also survive.

Kristin was preceded in death by her father, Craig Bear Sr.; grandparents, Wally and Elsie Wachowitz Jr and George and Janet Bear; her aunt, Kathy Vick, great aunt, June Piza and her cousin John Collins.

Kristin graduated from Waukesha South in 1991.  She liked to profess that she was the Greenfield Ave MENSA Chapter President and we all kidded her about that. 

Everyone has a story about some special times they have shared with Kristin and they will always live on in our hearts.

Many thanks to the Town of Mukwonago Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Waukesha County Medical Examiner's office.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, from 4 until 8 p.m. followed by a time for sharing at 8 p.m. at the Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Avenue, Waukesha. Casual dress is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated for a college fund set up for Kristin’s daughter Jaryn at First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, c/o Bear Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1198 Waukesha, WI 53187-1198.

is honored to serve the family.  For further information, please call the funeral home at 262-547-4035 or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions, an online obituary  or to leave the family an online tribute message.