Carol M. Grossman

On April 26th, Carol Mae Grossman, 90, of Appleton made the ultimate journey of her life.  She was born on September 17, 1933, in Mattson Township, Wisconsin to Ottelia and Louis Ruppel.  

She graduated from New London High School in 1951.  Carol married Robert (Bob) Grossman on June 26, 1954, spending 53 years together until Bob’s death in 2007.  They had two sons, Stephen (Steve) and Mark.  

Carol had a 40 plus year career as an accomplished travel agent, working her way up to being a manager of several travel agencies in the Fox Valley.  She was a natural for that role, as her and Bob traveled the world over.   Carol was one of the first to travel to China after that door was opened.  She also traveled to Cuba via Canada before travel to Cuba from the U.S. was allowed.  

Carol also did a tremendous amount of volunteering, including the Performing Arts Center (once named volunteer of the year) for 20 plus years, Bargain Garden, the EAA, tutoring children, and as a poll worker.  She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for over 60 years, of which she sang in the choir for 40 years.  

Carol loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Family gatherings were one her favorite activities.   Particularly annual family reunions.

She is survived by her sons Stephen (Terry), Holland, MI and Mark (Patty), New London, WI; grandchildren Melissa (AJ) Rosally, Matthew (Amy) Grossman, Kristin (Evan) Mikulsky, Anthony (Abbey) Grossman, great-grandchildren (Koa Rosally, Clara Grossman, Sage Rosally, Henrik Grossman, Jillian Grossman, Sullivan Mikulsky).   She is also survived by Karen Fischer (sister), Donald Ruppel (brother), Vernon Rieckmann (brother-in-law), and her special friend, Robert Marcks.  She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, brothers (Ervin Rupple, Milton Ruppel, LeRoy Ruppel, Harry Ruppel, Arlyn Ruppel, John Ruppel), sisters (Lillian Thiel, Evelyn Rieckmann, Donna Ruppel), brother-in-law (Eugene Fischer) and sisters in law (Lucille Rupple, Ruth Ruppel, Irene Ruppel, Sylvia Ruppel, Jeanne (Leo) Noe).  

The family would like to thank the staff at ThedaCare Cancer Center and Tess, Sabrina, and Carolyn with ThedaCare at Home Care for their compassion and care.

Funeral Services for Carol will be on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church, 530 West Parkway Blvd in Appleton. There will be a visitation at Wichmann Funeral Homes, Tri County Chapel, on Oneida Street in Menasha on Thursday May 2, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church beginning at 9:30 AM until the service begins on Friday. For more information and to express condolences, please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bethany Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI, or The American Cancer Society.