Carla Jean Gierke

Carla Jean Gierke (née Watson), aged 73, died peacefully on June 3^rd, 2023 at home. Carla was an independent, jovial, and loving person. She was passionate about education, politics, world travel, and horses, and she loved her family and animals dearly. 

Carla was born on January 19^th, 1950 in Madison, Wisconsin to James S. Watson and Louise F. Watson (née Frederick). Carla was a lifelong resident of Madison and Middleton. Carla graduated from West High School in 1967. She studied at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Madison, where she studied French and German and earned her bachelor’s degree in German Literature in 1972. Carla continued her studies and earned her teaching certificate. In 1987 Carla earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from UW-Madison. 

Carla had a fulfilling career as a German teacher and school counselor at Middleton High School. After she retired in 2007, she went back to teaching and counseling in substitute positions in Middleton, Oregon, Stoughton, and even in South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

Carla lived a life filled with family, friends, school, community, church connections, counseling, and of course everything horses.  

Carla was a loving and generous mother and grandmother. She married in 1970 and had three daughters, Ellen, Karin, and Lisa. Carla relished the opportunity to cook for others, especially for family gatherings and holidays. Carla enjoyed talking with family and friends at the kitchen table. If ever driving with Carla, there was a good chance she would say “Let’s take the scenic route,” inspiring further conversation for reminiscing and dreaming.

Carla had a particular talent for making everyone feel welcome. One of the most common occurrences for her daughters was to hear from others “Oh, you’re Carla’s daughter?” or “Carla is your mother?! She is wonderful! I love her!” She had dear lifelong friends and was active in many social groups. She sang in the church choir at St. Luke’s Lutheran church. Carla met regularly with small groups of friends like the “Old Tomatoes” and her book club “Reader’s Digest”.

Carla loved the outdoors and animals, especially dogs and horses. She and her dearest childhood friend, Lucia, would pretend to ride horses around the neighborhood until finally, her Grandpa Frederick decided to indulge her by buying a horse named Salem. When she got her driver’s license, the first place she drove was to her Grandpa Watson’s farm on Syene Road, where she very soon kept her first of many horses that she raised, trained, and bred. She shared this interest with many friends, her sister, and her daughters. Over her years of raising animals, she rescued many cats and raised many dogs, especially German Shepards. 

Carla was always proud of working and was a staunch union supporter. She reminded us how important civic duties such as voting are. Carla volunteered as a poll worker during election seasons. She very often recalled to her girls the summers she spent working as a flagger and a scale operator weighing trucks at her family's road construction business. The value of working to earn your living was a joy to her, especially when she could do this outside. Carla was a dedicated German teacher and school counselor for 35 years. Carla started her career at Middleton High School as a German teacher in 1973. She will be remembered for her exceptional advising, creativity, competence, and extensive experience. She started the first MHS German Exchange program with the Kurt Huber Gymnasium in Gräfelfing, Germany in 1976. Carla’s energy and positivity and her inclusive philosophy ensured that all students would feel welcome in whole-school activities such as the Punk Dance, German Club, Valentine’s Flower Sale, Student Council, and various cultural field trips such as the Milwaukee International Folk Fair.  Over the years, many students were regaled by her clever songs to remember the dative case, cognates, and dramatic readings of Thomas Mann. Many sought out Carla’s advice and she had a strong interest in helping others, so she pursued a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at UW-Madison. She transitioned to a new role as a guidance counselor in 1994. Carla retired in 2007 from MCPASD. 

She is survived by her daughters, Ellen Fox, Karin Zügge, and Lisa Gierke (Jon Netzler); grandchildren Sean, Mary, Ian, Emily, Beatrice, and Henry; mother Louise (James, “Jim”) Watson; brother Stewart Watson (Anne Rifleman), sister Elizabeth (David) Roloff; cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father James S. Watson and brother Mark F. Watson. She will be dearly missed by her loved ones and all those whose lives she touched.

A service to celebrate the life of Carla will be held at ST. LUKE’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave, Middleton. Visitation at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, the service starting at 5 p.m. with Pastor Tim Maybee presiding. Fellowship will follow the service in Friendship Hall of St. Luke’s church. The family requests that you do an act of kindness and/or forgiveness and think of Carla. 

In this time of grief, we extend our deepest condolences to all those mourning the loss of Carla.  May her memory be a source of comfort and inspiration for those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed.

“In the end, the love you make, is equal to the love you take”  - Paul McCartney

Please share your memories of Carla here on her tribute wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

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