Carol Kaufman, age 89, of Appleton, passed away after a long battle with dementia on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Eagle Court Memory Care with her family at her side.

Carol was born July 10, 1934, to the late Florian and Florence (Kimball) Hoelzel.  She graduated from Appleton High School in 1952.  On June 23, 1956, she was united in marriage with Rayburn Kaufman, a union that would last 58 years.  Her faith and family always came first.  She was our example of servant leadership, putting the needs of others before her own.  Carol was a charter member of St. Pius X Catholic Church where she later served as a bookkeeper.  She worked as a hostess and waitress at the Columbus Club, serving guests for noon lunches and greeting them as hostess for Friday night fish fry's.

She enjoyed gardening, planning family vacations and preparing meals for her family and friends.  Carol was an avid Packers and Brewers fan, attending games in all weather conditions.  Most important to her were her 3 grandsons.  She was so proud of all their accomplishments.

She will be greatly missed by her two sons:  Karl (Marian) Kaufman, Appleton and Kevin (Peggy) Kaufman, Appleton; 3 grandsons:  Dr. Andrew (Dr. Shannon Wood) Kaufman, Michael (Dr. Kristina Barsten) Kaufman, and Anthony Kaufman; great grandchildren Henry, Evelyn and Eleanor Kaufman; a brother, Roy (Jan) Hoelzel, a brother-in-law, Cal (Arlene) Kaufman, and sister-in-law, Donna Kaufman, Appleton.  She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Ray, parents Florence and Florian, brother Ron and sister-in-law Connie Hoelzel, sister-in-law Betty Beyer, and brother-in-law Tom Kaufman.

A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Thursday, December 14, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 500 W. Marquette St., Appleton.  Friends may visit at the church on Thursday from 10 am until 11:15 am.  Entombment will take place at Highland Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank the staff of Eagle Court Memory Care for their compassionate and wonderful care of Carol for the last three years.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Carol's name.

A Journeys End – The road behind us is full of seeds we've sown, the road before us contains the unknown.  Memories are filled with things we've shared, our lives are touched by those who cared.  Each day make a friend, we know not when the journey ends.