Karla Zander
Apr 24, 1937 -
Nov 13, 2025
Karla Zander (Josephson) passed away on Nov. 13, 2025, in Deerfield, N.H., age 88.
Karla was born and raised in Madison, Wis., and attended West Madison High School. Karla was the second daughter of Arnold Zander and Lola Dynes. Karla's parents were devout Christian Scientists. Arnold founded the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in 1932 and was its president from 1936-1964. Karla, born in 1937, was raised watching her father organize public employees and joined her father on road trips throughout the United States in that effort. Later, she would travel on AFSCME trips to the new State of Israel and Turkey with her father. Karla was present in 1997 in Detroit, Mich., when AFL-CIO President John Sweeney posthumously inducted her father, Arnold, into the Laborer's International Hall of Fame.
Karla graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1959 with a degree in American history. Karla was president of Kappa Alpha Theta in Madison and attended the university on a viola scholarship.
Karla met Joe Josephson on Capitol Hill in 1959. Karla was working for freshman senator William Proxmire of Wisconsin, who had recently succeeded the notorious Joe McCarthy. Karla recalled a young U.S. Senator John Kennedy coming to the office to speak with Senator Proxmire from time to time. Joe Josephson was then working for Territorial Delegate to Alaska Bob Bartlett. Karla and Joe married in May 1960, and moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Karla was with her only child, Peter, during the great Alaska earthquake, surviving in the ravaged neighborhood of Turnagain-By-the-Sea.
Karla traveled frequently to Juneau, Alaska, in the '60s and early '70s, where Joe was a state legislator serving in both the House and the Senate.
During her early years in Anchorage, Karla worked in Joe's law office, but also worked for Merrill Lynch and for U.S. Senator Mike Gravel. Karla authored and saw the publication of a book titled "Alaska and the Law of the Sea: Use of the Sea by Alaska Natives," published by the University of Alaska Press. Joe's law practice, with Karla's able assistance, continued into the late '70s. In addition to Karla's keen intellect, the law office benefited from her prodigious typing capacity and top-flight shorthand skills.
Karla raised three children: Peter, Andrew and Sarah. She instilled in them a passion for history and reading, for the importance of organized labor and for, among other things, swimming, which she thought was an especially virtuous activity. While the children were raised in a secular Jewish home, Karla lavished them with extravagant Christmases which stand out in their memory as especially joyous times. Karla simply excelled at Christmas.
Ms. Zander was an avid reader of American biography and murder mysteries. She was a capable tennis player. And she was devoted to the Democratic Party and likely never cast a vote for a Republican in her long life.
Karla and Joe separated in 1978, creating the need to "take care" and pivot her life accordingly. She smartly chose to enroll at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in its library sciences program, where she completed her master's degree in 1980. After finishing her teacher training, she was quickly hired to be a librarian at Bartlett High School. Her approximate decade at the Bartlett High School Library was among the happiest of her life. She routinely talked about the great faculty there, including colleagues like Gerry Chambers, Carolyn Graham, Jay Jackson, Don Kassube, Keith Madden, Wayne Mergler, Larry Whitmore and Fred Wolfley. Karla played violin for productions of school musicals and was a fierce supporter of the successful plan to build a 50-meter pool at Bartlett.
Karla left Bartlett and was a librarian at Muldoon Elementary School. Karla retired from education and became executive secretary to Governor Tony Knowles. She adored Governor Knowles and had great affection for his staff, frequently mentioning John Vezina and David Ramseur, Chief of Staff.
In 2011, Karla Josephson restored her previous surname, once again becoming Karla Zander. Karla was completely devoted to her cocker spaniels, Bailey and Robeson, in retirement. She chose to move to New Hampshire in 2016, seeking a change from Alaska and greater access to her family including her son, Peter, who resides there.
Sadly, Alzheimer's related illness took Karla in November 2025. Her children will miss her dearly for her kindness, steadiness and sage guidance as they grew up and as adults. She was a spectacularly wonderful mother and friend to us.
Karla leaves behind Peter (64); Andy (61); Sarah (56); and grandchildren, Cozy and Wilson.
A celebration of her life will be held during summer 2026 in Anchorage.
