Carla Jean McPherson

Carla Jean McPherson, 63, of St. Joseph, MI was received into Heaven by her Lord and Savior on December 23, 2011 with friends and immediate family by her side. A celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, December 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 613 Court St., St. Joseph at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bob Barber officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to Lory’s Place, Trinity Lutheran Church or The Samaritan Counseling Center. Friends wishing to send a condolence may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com Carla was born on June 26, 1948, in Oshkosh, WI to Les and Sally Hildebrand. On July 25, 1970 she married Norm McPherson. They began their lives together in Louisville, KY where Carla taught 4th grade at Martin Luther School. In 1974, she and her husband moved to Merrill, WI where they continued their teaching careers. In 1981, they moved to St. Joseph. Carla taught Kindergarten at Trinity Lutheran School for 11 years and was instrumental in starting the now existing preschool. During the past 19 years, she taught a 1st and 2nd grade looping at Lincoln Elementary School. Carla suffered a massive stroke on December 15th. She was a faithful, dedicated servant leader who cared deeply for children and their ability to learn. She will be dearly missed by her students and colleagues along with family and friends. Carla loved to read, power walk, bike and spend time with her girls and family. Her deepest love is for her Lord closely followed by the love of her life, Norm and two wonderful daughters, Leah (Kalamazoo) and Sarah (Cameron Park, CA), and her dog, Sadie. She is also survived by a sister, Joan Kern (Dennis) of St. Joseph, a brother Richard Hildebrand (Joyce) of Milford, IA, a brother, Robert Hildebrand of Omro, WI, her 95 year old mother also from Omro, WI and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Les Hildebrand. Although we are grieving the loss of a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend, we are comforted by the promised hope of eternal life.