Carol Ann Murphy, age 80 of River Falls, Wis., died on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the River Falls Area Hospital in River Falls, Wis. Carol was born the daughter of Clinton and Marguerite (McMahon) Racine on March 31, 1945, in St. Paul, Minn. She grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood, graduating from Visitation School with the class of 1963. She attended St. Catherine University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1967. After graduation, Carol taught at Eastern Heights Elementary in St. Paul. A cherished memory from that time was a summer traveling in Europe with her close friends.
Carol met James Murphy in 1969 through mutual friends. They were married on Aug. 1, 1970, at St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Paul. They settled in River Falls, Wis. in 1973. Carol focused on raising their young family until all the children started school. She then went back to the classroom as a teacher at St. Bridget Parish School in River Falls, where she taught from 1984 until 2010. Carol was an active member of St. Bridget Catholic Church and the River Falls community throughout the years. She valued spending time with her family and friends. Carol was always interested in listening to others and learning about them and their lives. She enjoyed making friends and stayed close to those friends throughout her life. She defined the word Mom and supported her children in all their activities, as well as her grandchildren. Carol and Jim’s marriage was a blessing to them and their family. She was strong and resilient, generous, and very considerate of others.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clinton and Marguerite Racine, and her husband, James Murphy. Carol is survived by her children, Patrick (Summer Stephens) Murphy, John Murphy, and Meghan (Nathan) Mackey; grandchildren, Angus Murphy, and Harper Mackey; brother, Clint (Gloria); sister, Helen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Bridget Parish School.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Bridget Catholic Church (211 E. Division St., River Falls, WI.) Visitation will also be on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in St. Bridget’s Cemetery. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Carol’s love for the Lord was lived out in her love for others.
