Carol Rae Bunker Sonntag

Our beloved mother, Carol Brown Bunker Sonntag died April 15, 2017. 

The daughter of Hugh B. and Zina Card Brown, Carol Brown Bunker Sonntag was born 12/15/28 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  As a child, she lived in Salt Lake City and Glendale, California but also spent several years with her parents in London, England where her father presided over the British mission on two occasions.  She graduated from Brigham Young University in 1951 with a degree in Home Economics.  After her marriage to Douglas Rich Bunker in the Salt Lake Temple in 1951, the family lived several years in the Boston, Massachusetts area and also resided near Buffalo, New York.

Carol’s life was one of service to her church, family and friends.  She held many leadership positions and was a creative and influential teacher. She was loved by all those she taught.  She also did volunteer work throughout her life assisting with a reading program at a local elementary school and giving tours at the Beehive House.  Carol enjoyed playing tennis, loved to read, appreciated the arts and enjoyed traveling.  She was also a talented baker and potter (in her younger years).

Carol married George Tadje Sonntag in 1972. Together they served an inner city mission to the Liberty Stake.  After the death of her husband, she served a one year mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  She loved the Lord and served her church, friends and family members all of her life.  She had an active social life and was involved in several clubs including Val Norn, Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  She also participated on the Cougarette Dance Team at BYU. 

She is survived by her son, Douglas Bryan Bunker (Cindy) of SLC, daughter, Linda Bunker-Benson of Dublin, GA, daughter, Sharon Bunker Gee (Scott) of Niagara Falls, NY, son, Hugh Craig Bunker (Carin) of SLC, step-daughter, Martha Sonntag Bradley-Evans, step-son, Christopher Sonntag (Tammie), step-son, Peter Sonntag (Heidi), and step-son, Phillip Sonntag, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.  Carol was preceded in death by her husband George Tadje Sonntag, brothers, Hugh and Charles Manley, and sisters, Zina Lou, LaJune, Margaret, Zola and Mary.  She was a precious daughter, devoted wife and loving mother, grand-mother and great grandmother to her family and a wonderful friend to many.  She will truly be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Brighton Hospice and Home Care. Special thanks go to some very special aides, nurses and other staff at Brookdale Senior Living, Brighton Hospice (for the tender care they gave in her last weeks of life) and to Carol’s two sons, Hugh and Douglas who have offered extra attention and nurturing care for many years.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Garden Park Ward at 1150 Yale Avenue S.  Friends may visit with the family on Thursday at the Russon Brothers Funeral Home, 255 South 200 East from 6-8:00 PM and Friday from 10-11:30 AM at the Garden Park Ward prior to services.  Burial will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.