ELLINWOOD — Carla Elaine Herl joined her beloved mother Goldie Manning in heaven Thursday, March 24th. Gone too soon, she will be missed greatly by all who had the opportunity to know her. 

Carla loved many things in life, just as the people in her life loved her. She was passionate about animals including many lucky dogs whom she spoiled with love, affection and treats. A lover of sports, she was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and KC Chiefs fan and never missed her sons’ sports games in school. However, it was the people in her life whom she cared for the most. Just teenagers when they first met at the roller-skating rink in Great Bend, and barely out of high school when married, she and her husband Edward had been together for over 40 years. 

In her lifetime she served her family through numerous roles but her support as a military spouse of a three-time-deployed soldier displayed her strength and sense of loyalty. Carla cared deeply for her entire family, particularly her parents and children for whom she fiercely loved and protected. Moreover, it was her long-awaited role as grandmother that she cherished the most as she loved her grandson Leo as much as anything on this earth and longed to be near him. 

Born on Nov. 29th, 1960 Humansville, Mo., Carla was the second of three surviving children of Lyle and Goldie Manning. The family relocated to Ellinwood, Kan. when she was a child and it was here she grew up, graduated high school and raised her family. Ten years ago, she and Ed took a courageous leap and relocated to the Pacific Northwest to further her outstanding medical laboratory career and seek new adventures in life but always yearned to be closer to family.

Carla is survived by her loving family, husband Ed; sons Keith and Shane; daughter-in-law Sua; grandson Leo; father Lyle; and siblings Greg and Peggy. 

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 6, 2022