Carol Jean Duffin

Carol Jean Duffin, nee Mueller, 83, died peacefully at her Door County home on August 3, 2024, surrounded by family.

Carol was born August 13, 1940, to Sylvia Steinmetz Mueller and Willard Gray Mueller in Chippewa Falls, WI. In 1962, she met and, three months later, married David Miles Duffin, a large animal veterinarian; they enjoyed nearly thirty years of marriage prior to Dave’s passing in 1992. She is survived by her daughters, all of Sturgeon Bay, WI: Laurel (John) Hauser, Tracy (John) Vreeke, and Jacinda Duffin; and honorary son, Vince (Heidi) Jirik of Green Bay; as well as her sisters-in-law, Carol Mueller, Dorothy Duffin Saylor, and Bonnie Duffin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sylvia Hauser, Thomas Hauser (partner Cara Reisen), and Isabel Vreeke (fiancée, Kalea Bicoy); as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and two siblings, Marion Mueller Boehm and Keith Mueller; niece, Jodyne Reiten; and numerous in-laws.

Carol enjoyed a childhood surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She and her friends had free range of all small-town Chippewa Falls had to offer – biking to the A & W, swimming at Lake Wissota, and exploring Irvine Park. Her first job was at the Chippewa Falls Welcome Center, fitting for a woman who spent a lifetime welcoming people of all ages into her home. Her small-town roots never left her, and many early friends remained friends for life.

An enthusiastic and well-rounded student, Carol was chosen to attend Badger Girls State in Madison, WI, before graduating from Chippewa Falls High School in 1958. She continued her studies at UW-Stout, earning a teaching degree in Home Economics and started her teaching career in Bloomer, WI. As a married couple, Carol and Dave first lived in Colfax, WI, where they started a family, forged deep friendships, and enjoyed the antics and camaraderie of a town of 800. They later moved to West De Pere, WI, where Carol taught high school for more than 30 years. She was a natural teacher, beloved by students and colleagues alike. Mrs. Duffin’s door was always open; she was the teacher who had a dollar if you left your lunch money at home and time to talk if you were carrying a heavy load. She received numerous awards for her professionalism and leadership over her teaching career, but what made her happiest were phone calls from former students, even decades after her retirement, sharing how she had impacted their lives.

Carol saw herself as part of a bigger community, modeling the importance of public service and political involvement all her life. She was a founding member of the first nursery school program in De Pere, was an active Girl Scout leader, and served on the Parents Council at Carroll University, her daughters’ alma mater. She and her husband were involved locally as school board members, volunteers, and active members at the First United Presbyterian Church of De Pere.

In 2001, Carol moved to Sturgeon Bay where she made quick friends and forged close relationships with her Utah Street neighbors. Most importantly, she was a daily presence for her family and the grandchildren she adored.

Carol was fun to be around, kind beyond measure, and her practicality guided her positive outlook. She saw the best in people and had a remarkable capacity for understanding and acceptance. She appreciated that there are many ways to do things in life, unless you were talking about getting cupcakes to rise or properly leveling a cup of flour; some things can only be done one way. She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank Linda Streyle for her care, attention and friendship in Carol’s final months.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, 323 S. 5th Ave., followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. A visitation prior to the celebration of life service will be held from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. at the church.

Memorial gifts may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), breakthrought1d.org, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Huehns Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay. Expression of sympathy, memories, and photos of Carol may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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