MIDDLETON - Carol S. McDonald, 79, of Middleton, passed away peacefully at UW Health University Hospital on Saturday, July 19, 2025, following a sudden, unexpected illness.

She was born on August 1, 1945, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Marion and Thelma (Larson) Sullivan. Carol discovered her lifelong passion for music early on, learning to play the piano from the age of 5. Growing up she also enjoyed singing in her church choir and playing accompaniment for her school’s glee club.

Carol graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State. After college, she moved to River Falls where she raised her two sons, Mark and Paul. She worked at the local high school library before earning her Master of Divinity degree at United Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.

Carol served as a United Methodist minister for many years in small-town communities across Wisconsin - including Bay City, Platteville, Montfort, Cobb and Watertown. In addition to music, she pursued a wide range of interests: cooking, baking, reading, gardening, watching college basketball, knitting and quilting.

But her true joy was spending time with her family and friends, who will all dearly miss her.

Carol is survived by her sister, Kathryn “Kay” Kramer; two sons, Mark Henderson and Paul Henderson; and Paul’s family - daughter-in-law, Julie; and three grandchildren, Lucas, Ella and Mason. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ross McDonald; and her parents, Thelma and Marion.

A memorial service will be held at COMMUNITY OF HOPE UCC CHURCH, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison, at 12 noon on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

Memorials appreciated to Community of Hope UCC Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Carol McDonald

August 01, 1945 - July 19, 2025

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