Carol Jean Vavrin

Carol Jean (Grau) Vavrin, a lifelong resident of Racine, died on November 6th from natural causes at the age of 96. She was born in Racine on December 5, 1926 to the parents of Walter and Martha Grau. She graduated from Horlick High School in 1944, attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and graduated in 1951 from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, cum laude.

She traveled the world as an Army Chaplain’s spouse, living in Germany and Okinawa, and several posts in the U.S., including Ft. Riley KS, Ft. Eustis VA, and Ft. Bragg NC. During this time in the Army, she volunteered to direct large multinational musical programs. In the 1970s, she taught music at elementary schools in Canon City and Buena Vista Colorado.

From the early 1980s to 2018, Carol taught music at Jefferson and Gifford Elementary Schools. In 1990, she was selected as PTA Teacher of the Year for the State of Wisconsin.

Carol was a life-long member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church until they combined with St. Andrews Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church to form United Lutheran Church.

Her hobbies included: playing the piano, flower arranging, and home decorating both inside and yard projects.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Walter and Martha Grau, brother Wallace Grau, and husband Jerome Vavrin.

She is survived by her two sons, John Vavrin and wife Laura, Dave Vavrin and wife Tracey. Carol has five grandchildren: Lindsay, Katelynn, Nick, Sarah, and William; and three greatgrandchildren: Ashlynn, Landon, and Morgan.

She is blessed to have so many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who have made her life so rewarded throughout these many decades. She also wants to thank Parkview Gardens Assisted Living for the quality care she received over the past 18 months.

Visitation will be held at United Lutheran Church, 3825 Erie Street, on Tuesday November 14, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with a memorial service to start at 12:00 p.m. She will be interred at Mound Cemetery next to her parents, and husband.

Memorial donations can be made to United Lutheran Church in Racine.