Caryn Ann Mullin

Caryn Ann Mullin lived a remarkable life that spanned sixty-one years and embodied the spirit of determination, compassion, and unwavering love for others. Born on May 21, 1964, in Roosevelt, Utah, to Kenneth Calder and Doris "Dodie" Caldwell Wenzel, Caryn would become a woman whose life defied conventional boundaries and whose legacy touched countless lives through her professional achievements and profound capacity for caring.

Caryn's early years were spent in Vernal, Utah, a community nestled in the eastern part of the state where the Flaming Gorge Dam had just been completed in the year of her birth. When she was approximately six years old, her family relocated to Casper, Wyoming, in 1970, a move that would shape the trajectory of her formative years and ultimately influence her career path. Casper during the 1970s was experiencing growth related to the energy sector, providing the industrial backdrop that would later inform Caryn's unconventional entry into the construction industry.

In an era when women rarely pursued careers in heavy construction, Caryn demonstrated remarkable courage and skill by joining Rissler & McMurry Construction Company in Casper. She began her construction career in foundational roles as a scale operator and flagger, learning the intricate operations of construction sites and safety protocols. Her dedication and competence quickly became apparent to her supervisors, and she progressed to become a roller operator before ultimately achieving her goal of becoming a heavy equipment operator.

Caryn's expertise centered on operating a Caterpillar 637 scraper, a sophisticated piece of heavy construction equipment with 570 horsepower and a scraper capacity of 34 cubic yards. At only five feet three inches tall, she faced physical challenges that her male colleagues did not encounter. Her employers installed wood blocks beneath the pedals so her feet could reach the necessary controls—a testament to both her value as an operator and her determination to excel despite physical limitations. Her colleagues remembered her as "the smallest operator on the crew, but definitely the one with the biggest smile and biggest attitude," and she earned their respect through her technical competence and positive demeanor.

The birth of her son, Jonathan Calder, in 1984 marked a pivotal moment in Caryn's life. She later reflected that she "didn't really understand how she could love someone so much until her son, Jonny, was born," describing the maternal bond as transformative to her understanding of human connection. Balancing single motherhood with her demanding construction career required extraordinary strength and organization, qualities that would characterize her approach to all of life's challenges.

Driven by what she described as her "Godgiven gift for loving and serving others," Caryn made the courageous decision to completely change her career path. She enrolled at Casper College, where she pursued formal nursing education, graduating with her degree in nursing in 1994. This transition from operating heavy machinery to providing compassionate healthcare demonstrated her remarkable adaptability and her commitment to following her deeper calling to serve others.

Following graduation, Caryn immediately began her nursing career at Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home in Casper, Wyoming. Her approach to geriatric nursing was distinctive and deeply personal. She cared for each resident "as if they were her own family, often referring to them as her 'extra grandparents.'" This level of emotional engagement and individual attention reflected her fundamental belief in the dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their age or condition.

In 1997, Caryn's capacity for love expanded when she met John Patrick Mullin. They married on April 19, 1997, and Caryn welcomed John's two sons, Josh and Jeremy, into her heart and family. Her ability to love extended naturally to her stepsons, creating a blended family united by mutual affection and respect. The spiritual dimension of their relationship deepened on April 18, 2008, when Caryn and John were sealed for "time and all eternity" in the Vernal Temple, representing their commitment to eternal union in their shared faith.

Beyond her professional and family responsibilities, Caryn embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding four-wheelers, painting, bowling, and playing cards—activities that reflected her comfort with both outdoor adventures and creative pursuits. Her love for country music, particularly Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson, provided a soundtrack to her life and connected her to the storytelling traditions of the American West.

Caryn's profound love for animals became evident early in her life. She "had a soft spot in her heart for animals—whether it was a bum lamb, goats, cats, or dogs, she would take them in and love them." This compassion eventually evolved into an entrepreneurial venture when she and John began raising and breeding pugs. Caryn approached this business with the same emotional commitment that characterized her nursing career, "treating each one as part of the family" and ensuring that "these dogs were some of the best-loved animals in the world."

In 2017, seeking to be closer to her extended family, Caryn and John relocated their family and expanding dog breeding operation to Cache Junction, Utah. They built what was described as a "5-star dog hotel"—a large kennel facility that reflected their commitment to providing premium care for their breeding stock. Their operation required conditional use permits from Cache County, demonstrating their commitment to operating a legitimate and regulated business.

Tragedy struck on March 9, 2023, when a propane gas leak led to a catastrophic explosion at the Mullin home. The blast killed John Mullin, Caryn's beloved husband of twenty-six years, whose body was discovered hours later after the fire was extinguished. Caryn was trapped in the debris for nearly thirty minutes before firefighters could reach and extract her, and she sustained multiple injuries in the accident. The explosion also affected their forty-six dogs, with several animals injured and others requiring emergency rehoming.

The three years following the explosion were marked by Caryn's declining health as she struggled with the physical consequences of her injuries and the profound emotional loss of her husband. Yet those who knew her during this difficult period testified to her resilience. Despite being "heartbroken," she was "never broken in spirit" and maintained a "Heart Like a Truck," continuing to "bring smiles and joy to those around her" with her "endless" positive attitude.

Caryn passed away on March 29, 2026, in Ogden, Utah, surrounded by the love of her extensive family network. Her legacy lives on through her son Jonathan and his wife Ashlee, her beloved grandson Henry, her stepsons Josh and Jeremy, her father Kenneth, and her siblings Jeffory, Susan, Steve, and Jamie. Her funeral service was held at the Amalga LDS Ward Chapel, and she was laid to rest in Dry Fork Cemetery in Vernal, Utah, returning her to the community where she spent her earliest years.

Caryn Ann Mullin's life exemplified the power of determination, the importance of following one's calling, and the transformative impact of unconditional love. Whether operating heavy machinery in a male-dominated industry, providing compassionate care to elderly residents, or creating a loving home for rescue animals, she approached every endeavor with her characteristic combination of technical competence, emotional intelligence, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her story stands as a testament to the extraordinary impact one person can have when they choose to live with courage, compassion, and an open heart.