Carla R. Fulcer

Carla R. Fulcer, age 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday, July 31, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on July 20, 1960 to Donald and Maxine (Maile) Zuelzke in Appleton, WI.

Carla was a graduate of Appleton West High School class of 1978. On June 13, 1981 she married the love of her life and best friend, Dennis Fulcer. Together they built a life full of love, laughter, and adventure while raising their three children. After spending several years at home raising her young family, Carla followed her passion for helping others and returned to school to earn her nursing degree from Fox Valley Technical College. She worked at Appleton Medical Center/Theda Care for thirty years, where she was a dedicated Surgical Orthopedic nurse. Later she worked at Encircle Health where she specialized in wound care, infusion nursing, and PICC lines. Throughout her career, Carla touched countless lives with her steady presence and gentle care, and formed deep and lasting friendships with many of her colleagues. The bonds she built with coworkers over the years became a meaningful and cherished part of her life. Carla retired in 2022, closing a fulfilling career marked by compassion and excellence in patient care.

Together Carla and Dennis embraced life’s adventures. Throughout the years, they marked their anniversaries and Fourth of Julys with getaways up north with family and friends, where they fished side by side, went four-wheeling, and enjoyed the peace of nature — from helping Denny net his biggest catches to cleaning and preparing the Friday fish fry, Carla did it all. In retirement, they traveled extensively, including a memorable two-week Alaskan cruise with close friends, spring break trips to Orange Beach, a summer visit to the Smoky Mountains, and a trip to Maine, where she delighted in a lobster boat excursion and indulged in her love of seafood. Carla also took trips to the Florida and Carolina beaches with lifelong friends and a special mother-daughter trip to Mackinac Island.

Carla found peace and pride in her garden, shared her love through home-cooked meals and canning the food she grew — always eager to share the fruits of her labor with family and friends. Carla was also known for her creativity.  There was truly nothing Carla couldn’t do. She was a jack of all trades — endlessly crafty, resourceful, and always willing to lend a hand. Whether she was making cozy handmade blankets, creating thoughtful gifts, or sewing something special, Carla’s creativity and love shone through in everything she made. She was everyone’s personal seamstress — hemming pants, fixing ice fishing tip-up bags, sewing beautiful dresses for her granddaughters, and crafting tiny clothes for their dolls. Her patience, skill, and generous spirit were woven into everything she touched.

Carla cherished time with her family above all else, and her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. She loved her “Grandma Days” with them — teaching, playing, and simply being together. She was always thinking of them and finding ways to make every moment special. She took them to movies, horseback riding, hosted backyard pool parties, and cared for multiple fish tanks for their enjoyment. She hosted all the grandkids for gingerbread house making during the Christmas season and helped them make chocolate bird nests for Easter. One of her favorite traditions was planting pumpkins with them at the hunting land and returning in the fall to pick them — a time filled with love, laughter, and muddy boots.

Carla’s greatest gift was the love she gave so generously and the strength she carried with such grace, even through her first two battles with cancer—challenges she met and overcame with courage. She brought joy and warmth to everyone fortunate enough to know her. Carla leaves behind a legacy filled with love, resilience, and kindness. She will always be remembered for her steadfast spirit, her compassionate heart, and the beautiful light she brought into the lives of those around her.

Carla is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Fulcer; children: Andrew (Melissa) Fulcer, Erin (Timothy) Zernzach, and Samuel (April) Fulcer; her mother, Maxine Zuelzke; grandchildren: Aubrey, Mason, and Madelyn Fulcer; Cadence, Elliott, Emmalee, and Natalee Zernzach; Archer, Trace, and Elliana Fulcer; siblings: Terri (Randy) Behnke, Randy (Julaine) Zuelzke, and Paula (Mike) Derleth; brothers-in-law: Rick (Wendy) Fulcer and Jeff (Connie) Fulcer; and sister-in-law, Susan Rose. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Zuelzke; her in-laws: Tom and Rose Fulcer; and brother-in-law, Bob Rose.

A Funeral Service for Carla will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 601 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton. Visitation will begin at the church starting at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until the time of the service.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Sally Prahl, Barb Hooyman, and Val Zellmer as well as Dr. Amy Servais, the staff at ThedaCare Cancer Center, and ThedaCare Hospice for the care and compassion they provided; and to all the family, friends, and former co-workers that have reached out in so many ways to provide support to her and her family over the past several months.

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