Bernadine Carr

She was born February 22, 1934 in Lawton, Michigan, the daughter of Uceba (Daniels) Thomas and Bernard Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gene, son Randy, brother Douglas and sister-in-law Marge Thomas.

Bernadine is survived by son Tom (Charma), daughter Patricia Hoisington (Dan Breen), and son Jim (Marrie Jo). Granddaughters; Audrey Hoisington, Genna Walker, Katie (Curtis) Wicksall, Jennie Carr, Kelcie (Martin) Hudnall, Rachel Carr, and Nichole (Corey) Grider.

Grandsons; Michael (Minna) Carr, and Zach (Logan) Grubaugh. She volunteered with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Lake Odessa Fair, Little League, Pony League, St. Edwards Catholic Church Board of Directors, classes at St. Edwards, EBI Breakthrough, and worked through motherhood. She was also involved in genealogy (on the board), on the Historical Society.

Bernadine became a great seamstress. This began when in the fifth grade her mother took her to the local material store where they purchased material and a pattern. They went home and made the garment for Bernadine and she wore it to school the next day. The sewing bug stuck with Bernadine. While a young mother, she sewed clothes for her children, husband and herself.

In 1959 when the Barbie doll first debuted, she created patterns for Barbie, then Ken, sewing these garments by hand (including sewing sequins on one at a time) to raise some extra money. While doing this, her young children sat on the floor watching and playing. One day, she cut out and sewed three different garments. One year for Easter she made all the granddaughters dress and pinafores to go over the dresses for Easter.

Along with doll clothes, Bernadine would make dolls for craft shows. Raggedy Ann and Andy, Country dolls, along with plenty of orders for country dolls and fancy rabbits done with lots of lace.

Bernadine loved to sew for craft shows and the Lake Odessa fair as well as helping her grandchildren sew and bake for the fair. Gene bought Bernadine her first Bernina sewing machine which she called a “dandy”, telling her she had to do craft shows to support her habit. She had a total of eight Bernina sewing machines and used the last one until she could not sew any longer.

Bernadine loved when the grandchildren would come on Good Friday and stay all night, having a floor of sleeping children. She had 12 dozen eggs already boiled so each grandchild would color 2 dozen to take home. The eggs would be hidden to have an egg hunt before leaving with them to take them home. There were times they brought a friend to help color the eggs.

Often the granddaughters would come to visit. They would go to a trunk of play clothes, get dressed up in long gowns. She had to make a quick trip to the grocery store so they went to town just as they were. People would smile as there were six grand kids in tow.

Bernadine enjoyed having family and friends over for meals or playing cards. She also enjoyed making meals for the sick and sending handmade get well cards.

Bernadine has twelve great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Koops Funeral Chapel from 5pm until 8pm and again on December 18, 2021 at 10am at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Lake Odessa. Funeral Mass will begin at 11am. She will be laid to rest next to her husband and son in Lakeside Cemetery. Memorials can be given to either Trillium Woods Faith Hospice or St. Edwards Catholic Church.