Carolyn Close

Carolyn Close, 85, passed away peacefully at American Grand Assisted Living Suites in Neenah, WI on February 22, 2025. Carolyn was born on September 26, 1939, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Raymond and Alice (Abell) Schull. 

Carolyn attended P J Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, where she was part of the water ballet troupe. She also was involved in the Latin Club, school newspaper, yearbook, and pep. Following high school, Carolyn attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a bachelor's degree in home economics education and was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and the Phi Upsilon Omicron professional organization. 

Following graduation from college, Carolyn moved to Appleton for her first teaching opportunity at Appleton High School West. Carolyn taught for several years before becoming a stay at home mother to her two children, Jennifer and Scott, for 16 years. Carolyn then returned to teaching in the early 1980’s as a Family and Consumer Education teacher at the middle school level. Carolyn was a dedicated teacher for 27 years before retiring from the Appleton Area School District in 2006. 

Throughout her life, Carolyn has been very involved in the community and in building cherished friendships. Some of her activities included P.E.O, Junior Women’s Club, AAUW, gourmet dinner clubs, many book clubs and Fine Arts Club. Carolyn also loved to travel. Her favorite trip was her trip in 2000 to New Zealand and Australia with her son and daughter in law (Nicole). Nicole is Australian and Carolyn found it very special to see the country through Nicole’s eyes.

She will be dearly missed by her children Jennifer Close and Scott (Nicole) Close; grandchildren Andrew and Adam Close; sister Mary Alice (Edward) Brown and sister-in-law Polly Schull. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother David Schull. 

A memorial service for Carolyn will be held on March 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N Superior St. in Appleton with a time for friends and loved ones to gather beginning at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carolyn's memory to United Way Fox Cities. 

Carolyn's family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff of Heartland Hospice, American Grand Assisted Living and Home Instead for their compassionate care. In addition, her family wishes to express their appreciation and thanks to all of her friends who maintained strong and loving relationships with her throughout her lifetime. She valued each of you deeply and was grateful for your continued support through her later years.