Carl A. Eifert

Carl August Eifert (little e) was born December 30, 1926, in Louis, Missouri, to Carl (Big E) and Frances Eifert. He died on June 17, 2024, at Alexandria Hospital after a short illness. He was 97 years old. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Bette Jo) Miller Eifert; his five children, Cathi (Jack) Horner, Corinne, Andrew, Robert, and John; three grandchildren, Carolynn Morton (partner Andrew Lewis), Samantha Buzalsky (husband Aaron Fenchel), and Adam Graef and his great-grandson Holden Foster. And the animals Nemo, Artemis, Tyson, Cow, Maggie, and Little Cat. Carl's unwavering devotion to his family was a beacon of his character, a testament to the love and unity that he cherished. Carl lived a full life, moving with his parents from the St. Louis suburb of Maplewood to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Columbus, Ohio. He went to St. Charles Prep in Columbus, where, to his mother's disdain, but fortunately for his wife and children, he declined to go into the priesthood. After attending the University of Dayton, he graduated cum laude from Notre Dame in 1951. His love for the Irish was always evident, especially during football season. After graduation, he worked for United Press International, eventually obtaining a fellowship at Marquette University. This brought him to Milwaukee, where he met and married the love of his life. It may not have happened without her mother's encouragement, as their first date was to a Green Bay Packers game, where he covered the game, and she sat in the bleachers. Bette Jo was never and has never been a sports fan. Their union produced their five children, and they moved from Milwaukee to Madison to Oshkosh and then to the Washington, DC suburb of Alexandria. Carl's career spanned various prestigious positions, including working for Senator Bill Proxmire, Congressman Dave Obey, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Department of Energy, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Catholic News Service, leaving a significant mark in each role. Retiring in 1995, Carl and Bette Jo spent almost 20 years basking in the warmth of Fripp Island, South Carolina. Carl, an avid golfer, enjoyed his time on the course while Bette Jo gardened and walked on the beach. They took pride in always leaving their rental house better than they found it, reflecting their contentment and fulfillment in life. Visitation will be at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, Monday, July 1st from 5-8 pm. A Mass of Christian burial, a solemn tribute to Carl's life, will occur at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 2nd at 11 am. Following the service, a burial will be held at Ivy Hill Cemetery, providing a peaceful resting place for Carl.