Laura Ann Kernats

(nee  Schulist) Found her peace on Sunday, November 28^th, 2021, at the age of 102. Beloved sister of Pat Raczek, Rita Borski, Gert (Fred) Terutel and (sister-in-law) Ramona Schulist. Loving mother of Ronald (Sandy) Kernats, Robert Kernats, Diane Froehlich and Joseph Kernats. Dear grandmother of Allan Belongia, Mike (Sheri) Kernats, Lori Bush, Cindy Vogel, Chad Kernats, Melanie (Jeremy) Cox, Travis Kernats, Spencer (Melody) Kernats, Rick Froehlich, Donna (Mike S.) Szczepanski, Wendy Waranka, Tracy (Anthony) Cole, Peggy Marotske, Tony Kernats, Nicholas (Jenn) Kernats, Kenneth Kernats and (granddaughter-in-law) Tracey Burk. Proud great-grandmother of Hollen Vogel, Austen Vogel, Bentley Sigl, Lauren Kernats, Luke Kernats, Skyler Cox, Megan Cox, Abigail Cox,  Bailey Kernats, Brooklyn Kernats, Derrick Belongia, Taylor Belongia, Jesse Kernats, Tejai Kernats, Liara Harmon, Tara Harmon, Joe Harmon, Nena Froehlich, Josh Froehlich, Jeff (Miranda) Froehlich, Nicole (Mike) Raasch, Corey Szczepanski, Brandon Szczepanski, Raven Szczepanski, Vanessa Waranka, Saryiah Cole, Brooklynn Cole, Anthony Cole, Jennifer Marotske, Kevin Marotske, Amaia Kernats, Andrew Kernats, and Kenneth Kernats Jr. Honored great- great-grandmother of Callie Raasch, Hudson Froehlich, Scarlett Froehlich and Kingsley Adams. Further loved by many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by (husband) Joseph G. Kernats, (parents) Peter and Otylia Schulist, beloved sister of Bernice (Olsen) Esker,  Martin Schulist, Helen (Frank) Rozumalski, Theresa (Eddie) Rutkowski, Lilian (Elmer) Osowski, Gen (Ben) Zigan, Mike (Shirley) Schulist, Ray Schulist.  (Son) Edward Kernats, (Son-n-law) Donald Froehlich,  (Brother-n-Laws) Bob Raczek and Don Borski, (Grandson) Dale Froehlich, and (Grandson-in-law) Timothy Waranka.

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 7001 West Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee on Monday, December 20^th, 2021, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.. Funeral Service at 1:00 PM.

Laura passed peacefully at 7:45 PM on the evening of 11/28/2021. She was surrounded by loved ones at her home.

Just two hours before her passing she was still sharing her fun loving personality even though she couldn’t express it completely. Trying to get a reaction out of Laura, Diane playfully stuck her tongue out at her and in Laura’s typical response said “same to you” with the biggest smile she could muster up. The room of five erupted with laughter and if only for a moment, felt like everything would be okay. She told us many times this evening in looks and head nods with confidence, that she was okay, that we didn’t need to worry.

I cannot tell you how many memories that she has left with us all; she will live on through these memories that we will continue to share.

Laura was special for so many reasons. I am confident we can write story after story of fun and amusing events that we shared with each other during our time with her.

She positively impacted so many people throughout her life, fostering many children in her prime and babysitting so many more, which didn’t end completely until she was beyond 80 years young.

She was a strong-willed woman with a stronger conviction to the church. You could have probably had her mail sent to Holy Redeemer and she would get it just as quick. Be it a roof, a bed, a warm meal, a caring hug for those that may not have had it elsewhere during a time that was needed. Without hesitation she gave a helping hand so often, sometimes against the advice of people looking out for her best interest. Laura did what she was going to do and say what she was going to say, she was never afraid to say what she saw fit. It didn’t mean that she disliked you, she was just calling it how she saw it at that moment.

She absolutely loved her Brewers, Packers and Bucks. Any Brewer or Packer game, you would catch her watching it on T.V. but muted, while listening with a small AM/FM radio broadcasting the game, often spending commercials doing word searches. Then to hear a splurge of commentary from her on the plays that she found unsatisfactory was fun. “Ahh Phooey!”, “I don’t think they know what they’re doing!” and another verse that she used often in these scenarios and a wide spread of others “What next!?!?” She was devoted to her home teams.

We all love you and you will be missed by so many…

Please, take a moment, think about how she impacted you, what she provided you to make you a better person or who you are today, be it short term or long term. Share your story(s) here.

A special “Thank You!” to the staff (Jeremy, Mike & Stacie) at Vitas Heathcare for all their care.