On August 4, 2018, Bernadette “Bernie” Crawford, 89, passed away on the way to her granddaughter Julie’s wedding. Bernadette was born on August 30, 1928, in Iron Mountain, MI, the first of Charles and Myrtle (nee Page) Burdett’s 12 children. She grew up on Milwaukee’s west side, then attended Prospect Hall Business School and Mount Mary College. Bernadette married Robert J. “RJ” Crawford of Glasgow, MT, on August 5, 1950, at St. Sebastian Church. The couple moved to Kenosha to practice dentistry and raise a family. Bernie joined RJ in the dental business during the 1970s and 1980s as office manager. Bernie and RJ raised six sons and daughter. Their offspring include Robert (Lisa Lloyd) of Whitefish Bay, Thomas (Lisa) of Milwaukee, James (Carol) of Denmark, Mark (Lori) of Glendale, John (Susan) of Kenosha, Anne Bernadette Kennedy (David) of Wauwatosa, and Patrick (Carole) of Kenosha, all surviving her in death. An eighth child, Jane Marie, died after birth in 1956. Bernie is further survived by 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Charlene, Carol, Dorothy and Patty; and three half-brothers, Kevin, Hugh and Parnell. Bernadette shared infectious energy with family and friends. She instilled in her progeny the ideals of the golden rule, self-reliance, responsibility, and hard work. She presided over homework and nursed her children through illnesses like polio. She was clear on the need for higher education. Many friends attended her social gatherings. RJ and the children would entertain the guests with music and singing. Lasting friendships formed in her eight bridge clubs. She was a member of St. Catherine’s Hospital Auxiliary, Junior Women’s Club, Four Seasons Garden Club, St. Mary’s Church Cub Scout Troop, the Orthopedic PTA (as an advocate for children with polio), the Dental Auxiliary, and Friends of the Kemper Center. Bernadette loved to dance. Long the family matriarch, her reward is a heavenly ballroom. May she be reunited with her husband RJ who entered heaven’s gates in 2011. We will miss her laugh and guiding hand. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 8th, at Proko Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 9th, at St. Mary Catholic Church, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery. Remembrances can be made to the Four Seasons Club, www.4seasonsgardenclub.org; to the South Campus of All Saints Catholic School, www.allsaintskenosha.org; or to the Kemper Center; would be appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit & Sign Bernadette’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com