Abilene - Carol Ann Sunde was born June 1, 1941. She died May 28, 2026, just shy of her 85th birthday.

She was raised in Beverly, MA, and lived a life marked by intelligence, adventure, humor, and deep devotion to family. A proud mother of five children, Carol later shared 57 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, William "Bill" Sunde.

After moving to Miami Beach, Carol held a variety of jobs ranging from waitress in some of the area's finer hotels to office work for a British cruise company. It was there she met Bill, who was driving a city bus for the Dade County Transit Authority. After seeing his paycheck, Carol famously decided she could drive a bus too — and did exactly that for eight years before the couple retired to Abilene, Kansas in 1999.

Carol's talents and interests were remarkable and wide-ranging. She loved needlework and was an avid quilter. She was also a world-class bridge player who twice competed against Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. A member of Mensa, Carol possessed both a brilliant mind and a lively spirit.

Together, Carol and Bill traveled the world until health concerns eventually slowed their adventures. Even then, Carol's daily routines remained constant: reading 23rd Psalm and faithfully watching Jeopardy each evening.

Carol is survived by her loving husband Bill, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her sister Christina Laversdors of Florida. She was preceded in death by her sister Leslie Ryan.

Carol was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church.

Donations can be made to the Abilene Food Bank.

Danner Funeral Home, Abilene, KS in charge of cremation with interment at the Abilene City Cemetery, June 20, 2026, 11 a.m.

Cremation and then Interment at the Abilene City Cemetery: June 20, 2026, at 11 a.m.