.
Feedback

Updated: Family, Friends Mourn Waukesha Woman Killed in Crash

Kristin Bear, 39, died on Monday afternoon when her car hit a tree in the Town of Mukwonago.

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.

michelle January 23, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Prayers are with the family through this hard time.
Cheri N (a friend of Bill W) January 24, 2013 at 10:48 am
May God be with Jaryn during this time and give the rest of the family the courage to move on & comfort Jaryn. Kristin will be missed by many.
Laura Lueck January 24, 2013 at 03:01 pm
My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends!!

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Waukesha Patch? Find your Local Patch »

Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Matt Schroeder (Editor) June 16, 2013 at 10:08 pm
Dawn: Can you tell me about a block or location where it's happening? We might be able to work on aRead More story this week on Patch.
Nancy June 16, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Our spruce trees have been dying as well. Very slowly. This is on upper Coventry lane just acrossRead More from the walkway to Meadowbrook school.
Dori June 17, 2013 at 07:39 am
We lost bushes also. I assumed it was from last summer's drought. We're located near Hy59 andRead More Sunset. I noticed dead trees at Prairie View and Sunset also.
Driving School June 17, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Classes started today!! Students are still able to attend this session by coming to class no laterRead More than tomorrow at 10:00 am. Call our office for directions and enrollment 414-447-0202.
Pennyluhu June 16, 2013 at 07:49 am
I agree that the folks at this Kwik Trip are great at assisting disabled people like myself but IRead More disagree that all Kwik Trips are helpful. There is a law that all gas stations are to assist you if you have disabled plates or a hanging placard if you press the help or disabled key on the pump. If there is no key (and I think all must have them by a certain date) then you are to honk horn twice and if there are at least 2 employees on duty, they are to assist. The K/T on St. Paul is useless. I've waited there, watching at least 3 employees mill around the counter with 1 or 2 customers and ingnore me. The Grandview station same but I haven't tried them in a few months. The worst station for that is whatever the one on St. Paul and Prarie is. I pulled in to see a female worker standing on side of building smoking. When she went in she was greeted by a male worker and I was ignored by both. I'd like to do a survey on how helpful each gas station is to the disabled. Kudos to Fleetfoot Kwik Trip! Whatever they got they should share with their brethren. I would rather give my $ to K/T because they are WI based and they donate regularly to the Salvation Army
Pennyluhu June 16, 2013 at 07:49 am
I agree that the folks at this Kwik Trip are great at assisting disabled people like myself but IRead More disagree that all Kwik Trips are helpful. There is a law that all gas stations are to assist you if you have disabled plates or a hanging placard if you press the help or disabled key on the pump. If there is no key (and I think all must have them by a certain date) then you are to honk horn twice and if there are at least 2 employees on duty, they are to assist. The K/T on St. Paul is useless. I've waited there, watching at least 3 employees mill around the counter with 1 or 2 customers and ingnore me. The Grandview station same but I haven't tried them in a few months. The worst station for that is whatever the one on St. Paul and Prarie is. I pulled in to see a female worker standing on side of building smoking. When she went in she was greeted by a male worker and I was ignored by both. I'd like to do a survey on how helpful each gas station is to the disabled. Kudos to Fleetfoot Kwik Trip! Whatever they got they should share with their brethren. I would rather give my $ to K/T because they are WI based and they donate regularly to the Salvation Army
Mr Lundt June 17, 2013 at 08:02 am
I am fine with this service--its great. However being handicapped does not mean employees need toRead More give up their breaks or other customers need to let you cut in line in front of their service needs.
Tj June 13, 2013 at 04:22 pm
Will these need water? Because the Garden Center at Target has great deals on "no water"Read More tomato plants, which would surely save me some much needed General Assistance money.
Kathy Spancrete June 13, 2013 at 09:14 pm
According to a recent episode of Judge Judy, tomatoes can be both poisonous and deadly. When IRead More called the posted phone number asking for a simple answer to my many serious questions, and all they did was put me on hold -- repeatedly. I cannot recommend a company that refuses to stand behind its own product, much less pick up the phone.
Collin Richter, Waukesha North Badger Boys State Representative
BRM Management June 10, 2013 at 05:16 pm
Update! Collin was just selected as one of two STATE TROOPERS for Dodge County. He and otherRead More representatives were interviewed yesterday. Word is that he may be assisting Governor Scott Walker off the helicopter when he arrives at Badger Boys State later this week. Governor Walker is a past Badger Boys State representative.
Sarah Millard (Editor) June 10, 2013 at 06:02 pm
Thanks for sharing and congrats Collin!