Carol J. Uecker

Carol Uecker, age 77 of Appleton, passed away peacefully at her home early on Friday, August 4, 2017. Carol was born in Neenah on February 21, 1940, daughter of the late Albert Lux and Endora (Champeau) Roovers. Carol grew up in Neenah and Menasha, and was a 1958 graduate of Appleton High School. On November 13 of that same year, married Donald Uecker at Faith Lutheran Church in Appleton. In her younger years, she was employed by Quaker Bakery as well as Langstadt Electric Supply. Later, she worked as the office manager for Packerland Door Company.

In addition to being a working wife and mother, Carol also found time to enjoy many hobbies. She loved all kinds of crafting, was an avid reader, enjoyed travel, collected Precious Moments and Mickey Mouse items, cheered for the Packers and Brewers, and was sure to buy a lottery ticket each week. She also enjoyed shopping, but her favorite times were spent with family and friends, especially those times that surrounded the activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Baking Christmas cookies with them was the highlight of her year. Those who knew Carol well, knew that it was rare to see her without her Diet Pepsi or a tube of Vaseline.

Carol is survived by her husband: Don Uecker of Appleton; three children: Rick (Cindy) Uecker of Pickerel, Dawn (David) Novickis of Appleton, and Connie (Jeff) Kloes of Whitehall. There are five grandchildren: Andy (Lauren) Uecker, Brad (Kelly) Uecker, Tammy (Chadd) Scott, Brittney Novickis, and Courtney Kloes. Carol also leaves behind her great-grandchildren: Jacob, Will, Grace, Hailey, Morgan, and Kennedy. Additional survivors include her brothers and sister: Jerry (Kathy) Lux of Appleton, Barbara Koehne of Appleton, Larry (Diane) Roovers of Tennessee, and Terry (Jan) Roovers of Iola. Don’s family includes Gene Uecker of Deerbrook, Dale (Kathy) Uecker of Appleton, and Kay Uecker of Janesville. There are also many nieces and nephews, many friends, other relatives, and very special friends Oscar Hansen and Sandy Herres who have been at Carol’s side throughout her journey.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father Frank Roovers, a grandson Tyler Kloes, a brother Gene Lux, brothers-in-law Peter Koehne and Kenneth Uecker, a sister-in-law Susan Montgomery, dear friend Susan Vanevenhoven, Don’s parents Andy and Daisy Uecker, and nephews Jeff Uecker, Jason Uecker, and Tim Lux.

The funeral services for Carol will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street in Appleton, with Deacon Dave Van Eperen officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. For more information, or to share a memory of Carol, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund for the UW Health Transplant Clinic.

On two occasions (1998 and 2006), generous donors provided Carol with a new heart and a new kidney. These gifts brought Carol increased quality of life and extended her time with us. We will be forever grateful for these special gifts of life - please consider becoming an organ donor.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the many caregivers that made such an incredible difference to our family over the years. They include our hospice nurses Dawn and Christina, the entire staff at the Appleton Retirement Center, the medical team at the UW Health Transplant Clinic, and Deacon Dave Van Eperen for his spiritual guidance. Your kindness and love will never be forgotten.