Carol B. Parkins

Glen Haven – Carol B. Parkins, age 85, of Platteville, formerly of Glen Haven, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Park Place Memory Care in Platteville surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 1, 1938, on the Schmitz Family Farm in Mt. Hope, WI, the daughter of Maynard and Loretta (Timmerman) Schmitz. She graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1956. To describe our mother’s life in a few sentences is impossible, but those of you who knew her well will undoubtedly understand more than these following few words can say.

On October 15, 1957, Carol married Maurice L. Parkins at St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church in Mt. Hope. Maurice and Carol then set up their life on the Parkins Family Farm in Beetown Township and proceeded to have six children. She was strict but firm in her love of her children by instilling in them the importance of hard work.  She was always the first one in the barn every morning before milking.  When venturing off the farm, Carol loved the social life.  In their early years, she and Maurice enjoyed dancing at The Checkerboard in Prairie du Chien.  As the years went on, she took every opportunity she could to have a Bud Light with friends and neighbors. To say she was an avid gardener would be an understatement. She was intent on caring daily for every plant in her vast flower beds and gardens - rain or shine.

Aside from being a farmwife and homemaker, Carol worked at Hermsen’s Hardware and Home Center in Bloomington for over 10 years.  She also worked at Schurman’s Wisconsin Cheese Country in Beetown as she enjoyed interacting with the customers. She loved her grandchildren more than anything and never grew tired of bragging about them. As you can see, love is a reoccurring theme in our message.

Carol is survived by her children: Kate Esser, Don (Diane) Parkins, Theresa (Jim) Wunnicke, Annette (Joe) Carroll, Dave (Alison) Parkins, and Jerry Parkins; brothers: Jim (Marlys), John (Daniele), Joe (Kay) and Bob (Connie); sisters-in-law: Myra Schmitz, and Mary Jane Ley; 20 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice, parents Maynard and Loretta;  sisters: Marcella (Leonard) Mulrooney, Jeanette (Mark) Sweeney, and Marion (Roger) Swab; a brother, Maynard Schmitz Jr; two granddaughters: Jill and Jennifer Mezera; and a brother-in-law, Donald Ley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington, with Father Sudhakar Devarapu officiating. Burial will be in the Dodge Cemetery, Beetown Township. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Carol B. Parkins memorial fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington is assisting the family.