Kathryn Bernards

Kathryn (Alexa) Bernards, 76, of Crystal Falls, MI, passed away October 22, 2024, at St. Mary Hospital in Green Bay, WI.
Kathy was born March 9, 1948, in Chicago, IL, daughter of the late Mike J. and Mary (Surinak) Alexa. After graduating from Providence High School in Chicago, IL, in 1966, she spent the next year at the University of Illinois in Chicago and then another year at the Chicago Institute of Technology, studying to be a lab tech. From 1968-1985 Kathy worked at Grant Hospital and in several doctors' offices as a lab tech.
On April 16, 1977, she married David S. Bernards; he preceded her in death in 2018.
As a young woman in the 60s Kathy started a folk singing group to perform at a friend's wedding ceremony. This group, The Shalomi Raisins, went on to sing at many other weddings for friends and relatives. She also played her guitar and sang at several coffee houses in the Chicago area. She was an avid fan of folk music and later of country music.
When she grew tired of the medical profession she attended Northeastern Illinois University, taking some accounting classes. She worked for several Chicago companies, including Salerno Cookie Company, Riverside Publishing, and Wells Gardner Electronics in their accounting departments.
Kathy and David moved to Crystal Falls, MI, in 2013 upon her retirement. Since her parents were born in Crystal Falls and Amasa respectively, she had been coming here all her life. When the opportunity to finally move here arose, they took it.
She was an avid reader, both of books and her various electronic devices. She loved listening to books on tape during long car trips. She enjoyed fishing, watching movies, and she took many painting classes offered by the Crystal Falls Contemporary Center. She volunteered at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, visiting with residents and assisting with bingo. She looked forward to trying new restaurants whenever possible, and she loved the fact that she was finally a Yooper!!
Kathy is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Mickey and Pat Alexa; nephews, Michael Alexa, Dan Polonsky, and Jonny Polonsky; nieces, Michelene Alexa and Danielle Alexa; a great nephew, Frankie Polonsky; a great niece, Talullah Polonsky; and her very special cousins, Dean, Jill, Derek and Alli, Zach and Jackie, Megan Aberly, and Lauren Aberly.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am - 11:00 am on Monday, October 28th at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls with an 11:00 am service to follow at the funeral home. Pastor Vicky Prewitt will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy requests that donations be made to the following in her name:
Providence St. Mel
119 South Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624 www.psm.k12.il.us
for Kathryn Alexa Bernards, Class of 1966
United Service Organizations (USO)
P.O. Box 1831
Merrifield, VA 22116 www.uso.org
Condolences to the family of Kathryn (Alexa) Bernards may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net
The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.