Carla Elizabeth Robertson (nee Lewke) of Lakeland, Florida went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at the age of 83. Carla passed away gently and peacefully, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Carla was born on December 12, 1939, in Columbus, Wisconsin. She grew up on the family dairy farm, enjoying a blessed childhood of country living, fresh food, and a plentiful supply of barn cats to receive her treats and affection. Carla attended the Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus, and was active in the local 4H club.

Carla graduated from the Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology, Platteville in 1961 where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a major in English.  With her degree in hand, Carla launched a lifelong teaching career as an English teacher in Beloit, Wisconsin. It was in Beloit where she met her future husband, James (Jim) Robertson. She was about to teach abroad in Germany when her future husband proposed and kept her stateside.

They married on August 15, 1964.  They raised their family of five children in Beloit, Wisconsin, until 1979 when they moved to Lakeland, Florida.

Carla continued teaching in Lakeland, until her retirement from Lakeland Senior High School.  In addition to teaching, Carla also volunteered at Talbot House Ministries, teaching life skills courses to the homeless shelter residents.

A childhood injury led to hip and knee replacements, but that didn't slow Carla down. She and Jim enjoyed visiting Florida beaches and parks. They spent many hours walking and exploring, with Highland Scrubs and Circle B Bar Reserve as two of their favorite destinations. Carla and Jim were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakeland. They also enjoyed attending jazz concerts and perusing the Polk Museum of Art. She was an avid reader and loved the challenge of completing the daily crossword puzzle. Carla loved to interact with her grandchildren, whether she was cheering them on at sporting events, listening to a musical performance, passing on life-long cooking skills, or helping them with schoolwork.

Carla was a friend to all and a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had an infectious laugh and was known for her keen sense of humor – especially puns.  She loved to carry on her mother's tradition of baking cut-out sugar cookies during the Christmas holidays. She was caring, fun, loving, and will be sorely missed by all.

Carla was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Ella Lewke and her brother Bill (William Lewke.) She is survived by her husband James Robertson III, sister Lorna Sebald (Leo) and sister-in-law Lucille Lewke.  She is also survived by her children James Robertson IV, Teri Bergendahl (Bruce), Jeanne Dalen (Brian), Michelle Hopkins (Brad), and Kristine Robertson (Warren Ratcliff); grandchildren Edward Robertson, Jacy Robertson, James Robertson V, Brandon Vaughn, Adam Bergendahl (Ellen), Alex Bergendahl (Bryna), Eric Bergendahl, Daniel Dalen (Dessy), Lexie Richardson (Troy), Tim Dalen (Maria), Luke Dalen, Sophia Dalen, and Brian Robertson (Camryn); and great-grandchildren Cameron Bergendahl and Jackson Bergendahl.

A celebration of life for Carla's Wisconsin family and friends is scheduled for Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 11 am at the Savanna Oaks Community Center, 100 Savanna Road, Fall River, Wisconsin. A lunch reception will follow.

People wishing to honor Carla can make donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church Lakeland or Talbot House Ministries.