
She graduated from Union High School in 1935 and started her career at Hartmann Trunk. WW II changed her priorities. Carla’s contribution to the war effort was working for the War Department in Milwaukee as an expediter. This decision proved to be fateful as at a USO dance she met Louie “Lou” Burks, a handsome and charming southern gentleman from Texas. After a whirlwind courtship Lou was shipped overseas to Burma. However, the short time together was enough to form a lifelong bond. When Lou returned they were married in Racine on December 22, 1945.
When he became increasingly disabled due to MS, Carla’s innate determination and compassion were required to provide the care and support of her family. After Lou’s death in August 1979, her life took a whole new direction. She returned to college at age 62 to obtain her associate’s degree as a travel agent. This allowed her to expand her travel experiences to include the world. By the time she retired at 72, her travel adventures had included every continent aside from Antarctica. In Africa, she had a close encounter with a hippo and slept in the trees among the monkeys. In South America, she floated the Amazon.

Carla lived her entire life with zest and enthusiasm. She was both gentle and tough. Carla is survived by her son, Michael and his wife Barbara Webster of Racine; her daughter, Carol Burks and Jim Davis of Green Bay; grandchildren, Jonathan and Jeremy Burks, Meghan and Alison Kiser, Melissa (Timothy) Northup, Carrie and Jeff Webster; and three great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2009, with funeral services at 6:30 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Rd.
Interment will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Union Grove Cemetery, Hwy 45 South.
Sturino Funeral Home
3014 Northwestern Ave., Racine (262) 632-4479
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