Bernadette “Bernie” Rae (Purcell) Chambers, 75, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2025. She was born February 7th, 1950, in Monroe, WI, to the late Bernard and Anna (Snyder) Purcell. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1968. She was a swimmer in high school and won many medals. Following that she studied at the Patricia Stevens Career College in Madison, WI. She married Stephen “Steve” Chambers at St. Victor's Catholic Church in Monroe, WI on July 7, 1973. She worked for various businesses as a bookkeeper for many years. She was a talented seamstress and had her own sewing business, selling custom shirts and sweatshirts. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, decorating, playing piano and watercolor painting. She and Steve lived in Mt. Dora, FL for several years before returning to Indiana. They had many friends and enjoyed hosting get-togethers in their home, including their celebration for every leap year.
Bernie’s Valparaiso circle of friends, the “Ya Ya Sisters", were a source of laughter and support, and they shared many good times together. Bernie and Steve enjoyed spending time with their in-laws in WI, the Smiths and Jones’s. Bernie was a proud and loving mother of her son, Matt, and adored her granddaughter, Nell.
Bernie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Steve; and brother, Mark Purcell. She is survived by her son, Matthew (Mary) Chambers, and granddaughter, Nell Chambers of Denver, CO. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Maryann Krueger of Beaver Dam, WI; brother, Michael Purcell of Monroe, WI; and brother-in-law, Neale (Ruth Mack) Jones of Watertown, WI.
A private celebration of life will be held May 31, 2025, in Valparaiso, IN. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Victor's Catholic Church, 1760 14th St., Monroe, WI. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Twin Grove Cemetery, Juda WI, following the funeral.
