Carol Murphy

Carol L. Murphy, age 86, of Random Lake, Wis., passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on Dec. 25, 1934, in Coleman, Wis., a Christmas Carol to the late Harry and Johanna (Thomson) Krejcarek.

She attended Coleman Grade School and graduated from Coleman High School in 1952.

On May 2, 1953, she married Daniel “Francis” Murphy, her high school sweetheart in Coleman, Wis.

The couple resided in Coleman, Pembine, Wabeno and Sauk City before moving the family to Random Lake in 1964.

Carol  belonged to Our Lady of the Lake Church, Saint Mary’s Parish, in Random Lake.

She was adored and spoiled (a bit) by her late husband. She was spunky and stubborn; her life was about love and family and she loved her family fiercely.

After high school graduation, Carol briefly moved to Milwaukee to work as a secretary at an insurance company.

In 1953, she moved back to Coleman to begin her married life with Francis. After their marriage, they resided in Coleman in a little trailer that they quickly outgrew.

She briefly worked for an optometrist but within three years they were blessed by three little boys. Carol and Francis figured out how that was happening and then waited a few years before having Jon, Cheryl, and Scott.

Carol later worked for the Random Lake School District as a school lunch lady and as a kindergarten aide, joking that Francis was the boss at school but she was the boss at home.   

Carol, though, first and foremost was a homemaker and mom. She gave an idyllic childhood to her children.

Carol embraced Francis’ Irish heritage and there was always lots of food, fun and laughter filling their home. Family gatherings happened often and always involved her great cooking. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and most importantly St. Patrick’s Day, where friends gathered, corned beef and cabbage were shared, Three Layer Surprise bars were savored, and an occasional green beer was enjoyed.

There were family road trips, summers of camping, afternoons at the pool or lake, rounds of Polish poker or sheepshead, much love and even an occasional Bali hai.

Carol was ready when she passed. Her lungs were failing and her heart was broken after spending the last 340 days without her beloved Francis, her husband and best friend of 66 years. She was anxious to be reunited with him once again. She is at peace and walking the streets of joy.

Survivors include her loving children Glenn (Lydia) Murphy of Shorewood, Steve (Wendy) Murphy of Random Lake, Jon Murphy of Random Lake, Cheryl (Clinton) Ebersold of Fredonia and Scott Murphy of Oconomowoc; one daughter-in-law Margie Murphy of Random Lake; eight grandchildren, Dan “DJ” Murphy of Random Lake, Benjamin and Patrick Murphy of Milwaukee, two step-grandsons, John and Andy McCabe of Milwaukee, Jeremy (Becki) Murphy of Green Bay, Angela (Matt) Sedlar of West Bend, Cayleigh Ebersold of Fredonia, Emma and Kate Murphy of Arlington Heights, Ill.; and four great-grandchildren, Taylor and Peyton Murphy of Green Bay and Linley and Carley Sedlar of West Bend; one sister Darlene Garrigan of Portage, Wis.; two brothers, Dennis (Marge) Krejcarek of Oconto and Darrell (Joan) Krejcarek of Oconto Falls, three sisters-in-laws, Marilyn (Rodney) Chell of Frederic, Wis., Mary Kapla of Green Bay, Wis., and Carol Murphy of Salida, Co.  

She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband Francis, her parents and grandparents, a son Daniel Murphy, grandson Clayton Ebersold, sister-in-law Ursy Kuschel and five brothers-in-law, Jerry Garrigan, David Murphy, James Murphy, Jerry Kuschel and Paul Kapla.

Following Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of both Carol’s and Francis’ lives will be held Saturday, March 20, 2021, with a Mass at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, St.  Mary’s Parish, in Random Lake. Father Gideon Buya, pastor of the church, will officiate.

No visitation will be held on Saturday morning at the church. Relatives and friends are asked to gather at the church starting at 12:30 p.m.    

Visitation will be held only on Friday, March 19, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth.  

Inurnment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Random Lake at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Carol’s and Francis’ name.

Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family.

For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.

The family would like to send much love and thanks to Jon for always being there and helping mom and dad and allowing them stay in their home until their journeys were through. Special thanks to Wendy, who was thought of as more than a daughter-in-law to mom and took such good care of her in the last few months. Special thanks to Cindy Large for all of the care and compassion given to Mom and Dad and your support of Jon. Special thanks to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice, especially Nancy, Amanda, Rhonda and Kathy.