Carol Briggs Unger was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, on August 7, 1935, to Frieda Blum Briggs and William Briggs. She attended grade school at St. Joseph Cathedral and graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in St. Joseph in 1953. Carol married Donald James Unger on January 19, 1954. She passed away Sunday December 31, 2023.
In 1976, Don and Carol took over the operations of S.J. Burlington credit union - later called Pacesetters Credit Union - with the mission of helping railroad workers apply for loans that traditional banks denied. Their credit union would assist the average hard-working American and their philosophy was “people helping people.” Carol started as the bookkeeper - Treasurer - until 1977 when she became President, which she ran for 27 years, retiring in 2002.Carol had a profound impact on her community. She served as troop leader to the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts Troop at Cathedral; and helped develop honest, confident, and capable young individuals. Before having children of her own, she volunteered at St. Mary's Elementary School. She contributed to the Reading and Great Books Program at Cathedral Grade School, engaging in remedial reading programs with her friends Joan Seufert and Betty Teegarden. Carol's enduring legacy is marked by countless hours dedicated to various volunteer roles, leaving a mark on those she served.
Carol was the life of the party, she had magnetic energy, and could draw you into the conversation with her stories. She had a unique ability to be clear, firm, and kind when speaking her mind.
Known for her love of cooking, Carol frequently welcomed neighbors into her home, treating them to a warm meal. Her specialty was soft, buttery dinner rolls, generously shared with those she loved. Adding to her warm hospitality, Carol even let the neighborhood kids ride on the elevator in her home, several times, or as many as allowed by parental authority.
Her grandchildren always knew that, at Nana’s house, ice cream and soda was an acceptable form of breakfast. She made Christmas a magical time of year for her grandchildren; the home was adorned with festive decorations, the smell of home cooking in the kitchen, and the living room filled with presents.
Carol has left a legacy that is her family: her two sons, David A. (Joan) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Kevin J. of Kansas City, Missouri. She is also survived by her grandchildren Drake of Kansas City; Luke (Chloe) of Kansas City; Justin (Carissa); great-grandsons Jacob and Henry of Washington, D.C.; Scott (Jenny), great-grandsons Lochlan, Cormick, and Connlan of Overland Park, Kansas; and Kelly and (Sam) Houghteling, great-granddaughter Sophie of Fort Collins, Colorado. Carol leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Carol was preceded in death by her mother, Frieda B. Briggs, father William Briggs, and sisters Elizabeth Espeland and Geraldine Ann Briggs.
In honor of her generous spirit, her remains will undergo the process of cremation following her selfless act of donating her body to science. The Family will receive friends from 10-11 am Saturday January 13, 2024, with parish rosary to be prayed at 11:00 am and the Mass of Celebration of Life at 11:30 am Saturday January 13, 2024 taking place at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Missouri, with a public livestream via Cathedral website, The inurnment will be at the Mt. Olivet cemetery, St. Joseph, MO. Services will be handled by Rupp Funeral Home. online condolence and obituary www.ruppfuneral.com
