St. Louis Park - Carol Marjorie Bungert—who loved life, learning, people, stories, and making memories—died Sept. 25, 2025, at age 78 from pancreatic cancer. Carol had an unmatched ability to make everyone feel seen and valued, and her impact was felt far and wide.

Carol was born March 5, 1947, in Minneapolis to John (Jack) and Helen (Marge) Bungert. She earned two bachelor's degrees—in elementary education and social welfare—from the University of Minnesota, making her the first person in her family to receive a college education. After working in several administrative roles, she spent most of her career leading human resources at RSP Architects in Minneapolis.

In 1980, Carol married Terry Meland and the two made their home in St. Louis Park. Throughout their life together, Carol and Terry enjoyed traveling and spending time at their beloved cabin on Daggett Lake. Their Christmas parties were legendary, and their front yard was the place to be on Halloween. At weddings, they were always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave it.

When their daughter Christa was born in 1982, she became the light of their lives. Carol modeled for Christa the importance of creating cherished traditions, maintaining curiosity about people and the world, and advocating to make the world a better place for everyone.

Carol's faith and church were important to her, and she constantly sought out new experiences—from participating in a spiritual direction program to working at the Minnesota State Fair to joining a Books Alive readers' theater to taking trips that introduced her to different parts of the world. She made friends wherever she went and had an expansive array of people she held dear. Carol courageously navigated three separate cancer diagnoses throughout her life, and yet never stopped believing that every day was a gift for which to be grateful.

Over the past nearly eight years, Carol has delighted in being "Ama" to grandson Cooper. She and "Bapa" showered him with love and adoration and took great pride in every one of his achievements, no matter how small. Carol loved hosting Cooper for sleepovers, baking bread for him, and enjoying their epic tickle battles. More than anything, she wanted to live to see him graduate from high school.

Carol is survived by her husband, Terry Meland; daughter, Christa Bungert Meland (James Warden); grandson, Cooper Meland Warden; brother, John Bungert, Jr., and many extended family and friends. Carol will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and she will be missed terribly.

A celebration of life will take place at Edina Community Lutheran Church (4113 W. 54th St.) at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2025, with a reception to follow. Memorials are preferred to Minnesota Public Radio, Twin Cities Public Television, or MoveOn.org.