Carol Jeanne (Schmidt) Mackin

Carol J. Mackin passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2018 after a long battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She was born in Hilbert, WI on April 22, 1930, and moved to Appleton in 1939. She attended Appleton High School, where she met and eventually married her husband of 64 years, Willard E. Mackin.

Carol loved ballet, and danced for many years. She was an exceptional artist, loved the outdoors and wildlife - especially wolves. She felt that nature satisfied her spiritual needs.

Carol began working for Pechman Studio in Kaukauna, WI right after high school. When the Studio moved to Appleton, she began as a receptionist and soon became and oil colorist. In 1980, she was awarded the Blue Ribbon for Excellence as “Colorist of the Year” by the State of Wisconsin Professional Photographers Association.

Together, Carol and Will enjoyed many years with their good friends golfing, camping and boating. One of her favorite places to spend time was at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Marvis and Frank Pechman in Ellison Bay, WI. She also enjoyed time in Chilton, WI with her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Ed (Plug) Grittner.

In addition to her loving husband of 64 years, Will Mackin, Carol is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Michele and John Berggren and her son, David Mackin. She is further survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; Sarah Berggren, Andy and Mandy Berggren and their daughter, Lillian Vi, Brian and Amie Berggren and their children, Madisyn and Case, Zakary Mackin, Nikole Mackin and her daughter Lexie, and a very special niece, Lynn Hardin.

Carol was preceded in death by her beloved son, Steven, her parents, Arno and Verna Schmidt, her sisters and their husbands, Marvis and Frank Pechman and Betty and Plug Grittner, her granddaughter Jill Rae Berggren, and her niece, Fawn Pechman-Shillinglaw.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Saturday May 26, 2018 at Valley Funeral Home from 11:30 AM until 1:00PM.

Carol’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of both Emerald Valley Assisted Living and Home Instead for the loving care they showed Carol in her final year and a half.

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