Caryn Ann Mullin

Caryn Ann Mullin passed away March 29, 2026, in Ogden, Utah, at the age of 61. Caryn was born May 21, 1964, in Roosevelt, Utah, to her loving parents, Kenneth Calder and Doris (Dodie) Caldwell Wenzel. She spent her early childhood in Vernal, Utah, until she moved to Casper, Wyoming, in 1970.

Caryn was a hard worker and could do anything she put her mind to. She spent several years working for Rissler & McMurry Construction Company. She worked as a scale operator, a flagger, and a roller operator. She ultimately became a heavy equipment operator, running a Caterpillar 637 scraper with great skill. At only 5’3”, they had to install wood blocks for her pedals so her feet could reach. She was the smallest operator on the crew, but definitely the one with the biggest smile and biggest attitude. She was proud of the work she did—and with good reason, she was good at it!

Caryn loved easily, loved BIG, and found great joy in helping others. It was this love and compassion that led her to the next chapter of her life. She attended Casper College, where she graduated with a degree in nursing in 1994. Following graduation, Caryn began her career at Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home, where her Godgiven gift for loving and serving others blessed many lives. She cared for each resident as if they were her own family, often referring to them as her “extra grandparents.”

Caryn had a HUGE heart and an amazing ability to love fully and unconditionally. She said she didn’t really understand how she could love someone so much until her son, Jonny, was born in 1984. There is no stronger love than that of a mother for her son. More love came into her life in 1997 when she met and married John Patrick Mullin on April 19, 1997, welcoming his two sons, Josh and Jeremy, to the family. Caryn and John later were sealed for time and all eternity in the Vernal Temple on April 18, 2008.

Caryn had many talents and hobbies. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding four-wheelers, painting, bowling, and playing cards. She also loved music, especially Reba McEntire and Lainey Wilson. 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. She later turned this love into a business, as she and John started raising and breeding pugs. Caryn poured her heart into raising and caring for her dogs, treating each one as part of the family. These dogs were some of the best-loved animals in the world.

In 2017, they moved to Cache Junction, Utah, where they were closer to her family. They expanded their dog business, building a large kennel—“a 5-star dog hotel”—and continued raising and selling pugs. On March 9, 2023, her husband, John, passed away in a home explosion. Caryn sustained many injuries in this accident, and her health began to decline. She was heartbroken but never broken in spirit. She had a “Heart Like a Truck” and continued to bring smiles and joy to those around her. Her positive attitude was endless, as is our love for her.

She leaves a big hole in the lives of those who knew and loved her, but we will carry a part of her resilience and joy for life with us.

Caryn is survived by her father, Ken Calder of Vernal, Utah; son Jon Calder (Ashlee) and grandson Henry Calder of Salt Lake City, Utah; stepsons Josh and Jeremy Mullin (Eva) of Preston, Idaho; brother Jeffory Calder (Kerri) of Vernal, Utah; sister Susan Brummond (Jim) of Casper, Wyoming; brother Steve Oldham (Nikki) of Benson, Utah; and Jamie Klaassen (Jeff) of Queen Creek, Arizona.

Caryn is preceded in death by her husband, John Mullin; mother, Dodie Wenzel; and stepfather, Joe Wenzel. Funeral services will be held April 3, 2026, 1:00 pm at 6521 N 2400 W, Amalga, Utah. Burial will be April 4, 2026, 2:00 pm in Dry Fork Cemetery, Vernal, Utah.