Karla Melissa Barillas

Karla Melissa Barillas, 39, Milwaukee, passed away peacefully surrounded by her parents and sister on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Karla had a smile that lit up the room, and what brought much joy to Karla was singing, dancing, and cooking. She loved spending time with her two dogs Lucky and Fluffy, goddaughters, and traveling! Her childhood was spent in El Salvador, making memories with Mama Cande (+), Papa Salva (+), aunts/uncles, and cousins. Due to the civil war, her family moved to Milwaukee, where she attended St. Charles Borromeo, Pius XI High school, and completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a double major in Human Resources and Marketing. After a few years in the workforce, she returned to complete her master’s degree in business administration from Alverno College. Most recently she started her own business (KB Human Resources Consulting, LLC). Prior to that, she was the VP of HR & Organizational Development at Saint Anthony School. Karla’s pride was in her work ethic and giving back to the community, her hard work earned her different memberships/awards such as INROADS, Alverno’s Vanguard Society Member, Milwaukee Journal Sentinels 40 under 40, and Milwaukee Business Journal HR Challenge Awards, and Newaukee’s Bubbler Award. She is survived by her parents Carlos and Leticia, sisters Claudia and Jeannette (Alex), and her beautiful goddaughters Alejandra, Ixel, and Paulina. She will be missed by her loving family and friends. Visitation at Our Lady Queen of Peace (3222 S. 29th St., Milwaukee, WI) on Monday, March 14, 2022, from 4:00 PM until the time of services at 6:00 PM. Visitation at MAX A. SASS & SONS MISSION HILLS CHAPEL (8910 W. Drexel Ave., Franklin) on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, from 10:30 AM until the 11:00 AM vigil service. Burial to follow on Tuesday at 12:00 PM at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, Greenfield, WI.