WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Carla Goertzen taught in the Buhler district for the past 21 years. Her husband, Stuart Goertzen, said she inspired thousands of kids at Buhler Grade School. He said he was a part of him missing following her death over the weekend.
Carla, a fourth-grade teacher at Buhler Grade School, had to leave the classroom when she discovered a pain in her leg.
Diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, nearly two years ago, her husband Stuart said, her diagnosis did not take away from her ability to make an impact on others.
“She was the most compassionate, caring person I know,” said Stuart.
After rounds of chemotherapy, Carla was initially cancer-free, but it returned and spread.
Carla’s leg was amputated earlier this year. Stuart said his wife’s fight was courageous and challenging.
“You always hear about your neighbor, or your friend, or friend of a friend that has it, then all of a sudden it’s you or your loved one. It was surreal at first, and then you have to dig in and fight,” said Stuart.
Carla’s friends, also educators, who worked in USD 313 with her, said her death leaves a large void in their community.
“Learning to go on without her is going to be a challenge. Her life has really affected hundreds if not thousands of people, through her students, her co-workers, her friends. Is going to be really inspiring,” said Jennifer Keller, who taught with Carla for eight years.
“Every time I hear stop by her room, she always started with her friend, and I’d miss that,” said Cindy Couchman, USD 313 Superintendent.
Stuart said his wife leaned into her faith, and he believes she is now at peace.
“It was brutal. It was very hard, very hard. Her faith never wavered. We stood in our faith, and that helped so much. She’s home.” said Stuart.
During Carla’s battle with cancer, the community came together, raising nearly $40,000 for her medical bills.
Her husband said they are thankful the community where they first met helped them through the entirety of her cancer journey.
