Carla Heidlberg

life story

Our beautiful California girl - loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, partner, and friend

Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything

-C.S. Lewis

A few words about Carla

Carla Annette Heidlberg died peacefully in Maple Grove, Minnesota on January 1st, 2023, at the age of 71, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Carla is survived by her daughter Jeannette “Jeannie” (Ali) Heidlberg; stepdaughters Susi (Jochen) and Michelle (Michael) Heidlberg; grandchildren Ramona, Mia and Miles; sisters Harriet (Stan) Sandler and Marcia Howarth; brother-in-law Dennis White; nephews Kevin (Jennifer) Sandler, Rob (Julie) White, Terry White, Michael (Maura) Howarth, and Justin Howarth; partner Tony Sanders; and dear friends Sally Beck and Debby Parr, Carol Arnold, and the rest of the “Train Gang”. She is preceded in death by her husband, George Heidlberg; parents, Lester and Mary Darr; sister Kathryn White; and nephew, Matthew Sandler.

Carla was born on November 1st, 1951, in Price, Utah, but soon moved to southern California, where she spent the vast majority of her life. Her final year was spent in Minnesota, where she could be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.

She graduated from Culver City High School in 1969 and received an Associate Degree from Los Angeles City College. She worked as an escrow officer in downtown Los Angeles for many years, where her coworkers would often make sounds like golden bracelets clinking together or pretend like they were going to catch her with the golden lasso of truth as a way of pointing out her resemblance to Lynda Carter, star of the TV series “Wonder Woman”. In later years, she worked as an administrative assistant at Loyola Law School. It was while commuting to this job on the Metrolink train that she met her beloved “Train Gang” – friends with whom she went on countless adventures traveling, hiking, and camping.

Carla and George Heidlberg were married in 1979 and their daughter, Jeannie, was born the following year. Carla and George were united in their love for their family. She and Jeannie were especially close - they shared a million inside jokes, were active in Girl Scouts, loved visiting family together, and spent time doing anything from making crafts to going to the movies to trying new restaurants. Carla also expressed her desire to love and nurture by having many, many, many pets. At any given time, one could find in her home dogs, cats, parrots, turtles, fish, chinchillas, and even a 6-foot iguana. She took amazing care of all of them and each one loved her the most, but none were as special to her as her sweet dog, Daisy. Carla and her family, including her beloved stepdaughters Susi and Michelle, would look forward to spending their summers together, either traveling to Avila Beach, waiting in unbelievably long lines at Magic Mountain, or making fools of themselves at Universal Studios, Hollywood. Carla was an incredible mother and stepmother – warm, encouraging, affectionate, and always fun. She was the kind of mom who intuitively knew when to speak up and when to hang back; she knew when to push but at the same time, was always a safe place to land. She was the true heart and soul of her family. Carla and George were together until his death in 2011.

A gifted artist, Carla put so much beauty into the world. She developed impressive skill as a ceramic painter and worked diligently to create beautiful décor for her home and gifts for her friends and family. Later, she broadened her skills and did tole painting and rock painting. She also loved photography, crocheting, cake decorating, and spent way too many hours in the sun gardening.

Carla was a devoted daughter, sister, and aunt and cherished being around her family. She loved hosting pool parties, where she and her three sisters could be heard howling with laughter late into the night after everyone else had gone home.

For the last 10 years, Carla shared her life with her longtime partner, Tony Sanders. With him her days were filled with creating memories like attending festivals, going on weekend getaways, spending time with friends, and going to amusement parks. And he also let her watch the Hallmark Channel as much as she wanted.

She was a woman of great faith who leaned on her relationship with God throughout her life and enjoyed fellowship with others at church and Bible study.

She was kind, compassionate, spontaneous, quick-witted, had an infectious laugh and a smile that could brighten the darkest of rooms. The world is a better place for having had her in it and she will be missed always, our forever Wonder Woman.

memorial service

Celebration of life

January 21, 2023

Those interested in attending via Zoom can email angela@inspiredjourneysmn.com for link