Bernadette Karr, age 72, of Chicago (West Beverly), Illinois, passed away, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. Bernadette was born on June 26, 1953 to the late Joseph Karr and Anne Marguerite Stirpakus Karr and lived in Illinois most of her life. She graduated in 1971 from the Academy of Our Lady (Longwood). She student taught special education at Stagg high school in Palos Hills , Illinois until she went on to further her education, recieving her bachelors degree in English from Trinity Christian College at the age of 50. She taught English at Joliet West High school until she retired, and her students were her pride and joy. Bernadette was a breast cancer survivor.

She was passionate about cooking, fine dining, Motown music, fashion, dogs, her Lithuanian heritage and very proud to be a Chicagoan. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends, and her dream of being a Grammy was fulfilled by her two loving granddaughters.  In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Ken Karr; her sister, Yvonne Callahan; and her niece, Brenda Cawley. Her family includes her two sons, Chad Havelka and Matthew Havelka (Camille Stone Havelka); siblings, Tom Karr (Bobbie), Mary Kohout (Tom); sister-in-law, Jean Karr; grandchildren, Sawyer Stone and River Stone; nieces and nephews, Stephen Karr and Monique McKenna and Sharon Callahan and Peter Callahan; and several great-nieces, great-nephews and other relatives. A celebration of life service will be announced by the family and will be held in Oakbrook, Illinois in late June. Her ashes will be buried with her mother in St. Casimer’s cemetery in Chicago.