A live stream for Carolyn can be viewed by clicking or entering the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26039443514654

Carolyn R. Reque, age 78, of Appleton passed away on Monday, February 23, 2026, at her residence in Appleton.  She was born to the late Edward and Ruth (Hoppe) Reffke on August 11 1947, in Appleton.  Carolyn married the late Paul Reque on March 5, 1983 in Las Vegas NV.

Carolyn will be remembered for making friends so easily with everyone she met.  She was the most giving person anyone would know often paying for meals or groceries for total strangers and walking out the door with them never knowing who paid for it.  She never forgot a birthday, giving a card from her heart and birthday cake to the party.  She would go out of her way for anyone who needed help, whether it be a ride, a meal or money.

She loved and looked so forward to attending car shows, meeting with her car show friends, proudly showing off her beloved 1950's Custom Mercury, affectionately known as "Blu Hevn".  She always came home with a trophy.  Her favorite trophy was a trophy that was almost as tall as she was.

She loved all critters big and small and had several Dachshunds, who she loved deeply.  She grew up with horses and loved to ride.  She had a Palamino horse named Sultan who she rode in parades for the Broken Wheel Riding Club.  Visiting her Granddaughter's Stephanie Friesian horses, especially Beauty, was something that she always looked forward to.

Friday night fish fries, with her best friends George and Cheryl, and her sister, Audrey and  her brother and his wife, Steve and Jean, was always something she looked forward to.  Gathering with her cherished coffee clutch group, were never missed and her boisterous laughter and stories were always plentiful. As a dedicated bus driver, almost never missing a day, Carolyn cared deeply for the children on her route, ensuring they made it home every single day.

She looked most forward to her Thursday visits with her male companion Ken Larsen who she loved that she met nearly three years ago.  The time they spent together was filled with love and laughter as they both had a great sense of humor.  Ken will miss her deeply.

Her kindness, loyalty, laughter and joyful spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Carolyn is survived by her children: Roxanne (Russ) Butzer, Ronald (Darlene) Pluger, and Dawn (Pete); stepdaughter Sherri (Tim) Manios;  step son-in-law Matt McCue; grandkids: Stephanie (Dustin), Morgan (fiancé Zach), Rebecca (Timothy), Dustin and Alex, Ashley, Kyle, Bethany, and Kristin; 8 great grandchildren; siblings: Audrey Hendrickson, Steve (Jean) Reffke, and Larry (Louann) Reffke; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Paul; parents Edward and Ruth; and stepdaughter Trish McCue.

A funeral service for Carolyn will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at BRETTSCHNEIDER TRETTIN NICKEL FUNERAL CHAPEL, 606 N Oneida Street, Appleton.  Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Burial will take place at the Historic Riverside Cemetery in Appleton.