Carla Faye Goertzen, 49, died Saturday, September 28, 2024. She was born September 24, 1975, in Newton, to Gregory and Viola (Fast) Schultz.
Carla graduated from Buhler High School in 1993, received her bachelor degree from Bethel College, North Newton, and her master degree from McPherson College. Her teaching career began at Lincoln Elementary School in Hutchinson, followed by Prosperity Elementary School, before completing her teaching career at Buhler Grade School. Carla was a gifted, selfless, and humble educator who made her students feel welcomed and loved. She put in countless hours preparing for her classes to ensure every student received the education they deserved. Carla could often be found on the weekends at Buhler Grade School, preparing for the next week of classes. She always went the extra mile with her students’ best interests at heart. As a result, Carla was a finalist for the Kansas Teacher of the Year award in 2012.
In addition to making an impact on hundreds of children’s lives, Carla enjoyed running, especially at Dillon Nature Center or around Buhler with her dog, Avery. She saw the beauty in nature, with a special admiration for birds. Carla was a member of Buhler Mennonite Church, and despite the peaks and valleys over the past two years, she never lost her faith in God.
On October 9, 1999, she married Jon Stuart Goertzen, at Buhler Mennonite Church.
Carla is survived by: her husband of almost 25 years, Stuart Goertzen; daughter, Lauren Goertzen, both of Buhler; mother, Viola Juhnke of Buhler; father, Gregory Schultz (Farris) of Cottage Grove, OR; sisters, Jill Reeves (Greg) of Andover and Katelyn Askren (Lincoln) of Buhler; brother, Scott Schultz of Buhler; parents-in-law, Johnny and Mary Jane Goertzen; brother-in-law, Russ Goertzen (Jill); numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, stepsiblings; and countless friends.
She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Celebration of Life service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Inspire Church (formerly First Church of the Nazarene), 4290 North Monroe Street, Hutchinson, with Pastor Willmar T. Harder officiating. Burial will follow in Buhler Municipal West Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 4, 2024, at Buhler Mennonite Church, 220 W. Avenue B, Buhler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Carla Goertzen Memorial Fund (to benefit organizations that supported Carla and her family the past two years), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family wishes to thank the Buhler Community, Buhler Unified School District #313, and Bradbury Company for their prayers, love, and outpouring of support given to them over the past two years as they traveled an unexpected and scary path.