Carole Sue Carden

Carole Sue Carden, 87, passed away peacefully with her son and daughter by her side on Wednesday June 3, 2026. She was born in Lincoln, Nebraska then moved to Utah when she was 6 years old. Through her high school years, Carole lived in Clearfield with her parents, William and Minnie Thomas and 2 younger brothers, Bill and David. After graduation she began working at Commercial Security Bank in Ogden. On June 26, 1958 she married Walter Paul Bigelow, an Air Force flight engineer. She became stepmom to Brenda Bigelow, who was 7 years old. In September 1961, their daughter Cheryl was born. Tragically, in January 1962 Walt was killed during an Air Force Reserve training exercise.

Carole became a single mom to Cheryl and continued working at the bank. This was when she became a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and stayed active for over 50 years. 

In November of 1964 Carole met James (Jim) Carden (Roadmaster for the Union and Southern Pacific Railroad and WWII Veteran) through a mutual friend. Jim proposed 2 months later and they were married on Valentine's Day 1965. She suddenly became a stepmom to Jimmy and Grandma to his sons. Later that year, Jim & Carole welcomed their son Grant. In 1966 they moved from Ogden to Roy Utah. On June 8, 1973 they moved to Englewood (now Centennial) Colorado when Jim began working for the Federal Railroad Administration as a track safety inspector for the Department of Transportation.

Carole was active in her children's activities, a variety of card groups with the ladies (including 2 different couples pinochle groups) and her sorority. She was known for driving friends to card groups, Walmart, sorority and various other places. She was a great neighbor, living in the same house for almost 53 years. She loved elephants and Elvis.

Carole is survived by her daughter Cheryl Racz (George), son Grant Carden, Brenda Bigelow (stepdaughter), grandchildren Joshua Racz, Cassandra Jensen, Jennifer Butry, great -grandchildren, Ryder Jensen, Zander Jensen, Christopher Jensen, Caster Moss (Racz), Kirsten Butry, and many nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by her parents William and Minnie Thomas, two brothers Bill and David Thomas, her husbands Walter Bigelow and James Carden, and her daughter Carla (at birth).