Barbara Jean "Barb" Karr

Barbara "Barb" Jean Karr, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025, at the age of 78. Born and raised in Pewaukee, Barb was a lifelong Wisconsinite who built a life centered on family, faith, service, and kindness.

Barb was warm, welcoming and easy to talk to, someone who made everyone feel comfortable. She loved classic television shows and movies (especially Westerns), trivia and board games, reading, and cheering on Wisconsin sports, especially the Green Bay Packers. She adored watching her daughters and other family members compete in sports and later took great pride in her grandsons' soccer and football games. A graduate of Pewaukee High School, she remained a proud Pewaukee Pirate throughout her life.

Barb's career as a registered nurse reflected her compassion and dedication. A 1969 graduate of the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, she worked at Waukesha Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse for 23 years before finishing her career at Orthopedic Associates of Wisconsin. She valued the lifelong friendships she built during her schooling and career.

Barb cherished life's simple joys, such as hot tea, tasty desserts, peaceful walks, family vacations and the wildlife in her yard. Her greatest joy came from interacting with her grandsons, taking trips to the park with them, pushing them on the swings and cuddling up to read the many books she picked out for them. She also had a lifelong love of animals, especially her three dogs. Barb cared for others in thoughtful ways, and she had a unique talent for picking meaningful gifts that made people feel special.

A devoted and lifelong member of Gethsemane United Methodist Church, Barb worshipped there for 78 years alongside her mother, sister, daughters, and extended family and friends. Barb shared an unbreakable bond with her sister and best friend, Sharon. At church, everyone knew them simply as "The Sisters," always side by side. They volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House, joined church outings, and served juice and cookies to Sunday school children.

Family was her greatest joy. She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, John; her daughters, Kristin (Scott) Ostrowski and Rebecca "Becky" Karr (Ryan Short); and her two precious grandsons, Aiden, her "special sweetheart" and Jameson, her "little one."

Barb is also survived by her siblings, Sharon Kaatz and David C. Knuth, as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Schlesner (Kosanke); her stepfather, William Schlesner; her brothers, William A. Knuth and Ronald Knuth (who heartbreakingly passed just four days after his sister leaving behind his loving wife Kathy Knuth); her nephew, David A. Knuth; and her beloved pets Daisy, Muffin, and Brewer.

Diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2021, Barb bravely fought for more than four and a half years. Her legacy of love, faith, strength, and kindness will be forever remembered.

To honor her generous spirit and love for animals, the family invites donations to HAWS (Humane Animal Welfare Society) of Waukesha in her memory, in place of flowers. Donations can be made directly to HAWS Waukesha at https://hawspets.givecloud.co/tributegifts.

A visitation and service celebrating Barb's life will be held on Monday, December 1, 2025, at GETHSEMANE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 642 Main St., Pewaukee. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM (Noon). Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Pewaukee.

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