Carol J Hutjens

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mother Carol J. (Klipstine) Hutjens, 91, Ledgeview on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Carol was born on April 18, 1933, to the late Elsie (Bakken) and Alfred Klipstine and grew up on the family dairy farm in Ashwaubenon. Carol was a 1951 graduate of Nicolet High School. She married her sweetheart and dance partner, Donald Hutjens, on August 3, 1957. They enjoyed 66 wonderful years of marriage. After her family grew up, she worked at the Brown County Clerk’s office. The annual group camping trips to Spectacle Lake were certainly a highlight each year. Carol was an avid Sheephead card player and loved all games with family and friends to keep their minds sharp. She loved listening to Daniel O’Donnell, dancing and listening to polka music and she was happiest with visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Carol was a bundle of energy and made each Christmas special with her homemade candies, assorted cookies and breads. Her enthusiasm for Christmas was warmly shared with everyone around her and she became known as “Christmas Carol.” She was a member of the Ledgeview Riders Snowmobile Club, worked at local elections and was actively involved in a variety of community organizations. All four of her children and three grandchildren were active members of the Happy Valley 4-H Club and she was a 4-H leader for over 50 years and a superintendent at the Brown County Fair. Carol was active in the Ledgeview Homemaker Club and regularly attended State Homemaker’s Annual Conventions and State College Days in Madison. In 1981, Carol was chosen as Brown County’s Homemaker of the year. 

Carol was an active member of St Mary’s Church. Faith and family were the most important parts of her life. Psalm 23 was her favorite bible passage. She is preceded in death by her husband Don. Carol will be deeply missed by children, Keith (Pascal Walther) Hutjens of Lausanne, Switzerland; Kathy (Bruce) Bauknecht of De Pere; Kirk (Michelle) Hutjens of Orlando, FL; and Kaye (Brian) Isola of Cary, IL; her grandchildren Ben (Diana), Bill (Mandy Walton), and Brittany Bauknecht; Taylor and Parker Hutjens; Kristi (fiancé Steven Buchholz) and Nikki Isola; and great-grandchildren Mathew and Natalie Pinto; and Bella and Brooks Bauknecht; brothers and sisters: Elaine Muesbeck, Lois (David) McAllister, Ralph (Janet) Klipstine, and William (Peggy) Klipstine; brother-in-law, Alvin Miller; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Rose Ann Van Lanen, Janet Krautkramer, LaVerne (Francis) DeCleene, Susie (Alan) Tetzlaff, Dale Hutjens (and Winnie Hutjens).

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Henry and Germaine Hutjens; sister, Ruth Miller; sistersin-law and brothers-in-laws, Don Muesbeck, Ferdie and Doris Mancheski, Ron and Annice DeCleene, Gerry Van Lanen, Kenny Krautkramer and granddaughter Hannah Hutjens.

The Hutjens family thanks the Rennes Group and the memory care staff for their loving care of Carol and Unity Hospice for their wonderful assistance in her last days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carol’s name to St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, De Pere, WI 54115 or Unity Hospice.

Friends and family may call at the Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, on Sunday, March 2, 2025 from 4:00PM until a prayer service to conclude the evening at 7:00PM. Visitation will continue on Monday, March 3 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Dr., De Pere, (Ledgeview) from 9:00AM to 10:45AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00AM with Rev. Michael Ingold officiating. Interment in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery.