So many caring folks who remember you and your gentle spirit, Krista.  I’m with the  kids in Hinsdale for your birthday…

We miss Krista everyday. She was our neighbor over 30 years. Our youngest son called her his second mom.

Krista's memorial service was beautiful-- a fitting tribute to a beautiful woman who loved her family and the Lord Jesus.

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Samaritan's Purse.

$700.00

Raised by 8 people

Recent contributions

$50.00
Joan Azarian
Gave to Blood Cancer United in memory of Krista

$100.00
Sue and Bruce Whitsitt
Gave to Samaritan's Purse in memory of Krista

$100.00
Diane Ostrem
Gave to Blood Cancer United in memory of Krista

Krista's obituary

A longtime resident of Fresno, Krista was born in La Mesa, California on May 5, 1951, to Eldon “Bill” and Helen Borger. After being named valedictorian at Santana High School, she graduated from San Diego State in 1973 with a BA in Mathematics. She worked in accounting for five years before becoming an active stay-at-home mom for nearly twenty years. In 1998 Krista enrolled at Fresno City College and then began working for Fresno Unified as a library tech, first at Tehipite Middle School and later at Baird Middle School until retirement in 2016. She loved reading and talking about the newest young adult books with her students.

In 1967, Krista met the love of her life, John Sunderson, when his band "The Essentials" auditioned for her sophomore class dance. They dated in high school and college before marrying in 1970 in El Cajon. Early married life took them to Kansas City, Houston, Anaheim, Visalia, and finally Fresno in 1981, where they settled to raise their three children. Krista and John recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary at Big Bear Lake with all of their children, spouses, and eight grandchildren.

Krista was a loving, supportive, and active mom and grandmother. As her children grew their families, “Grandma Krista” was always involved in her grandkids' lives, frequently traveling to Chico, Chicago, and Visalia. She regularly enjoyed babysitting, baking cookies, watching their sports games, and reading books at bedtime. Her favorite family pastime was playing (and winning!) board games or cards over a big bowl of popcorn and snacks.

Krista’s faith in Jesus was steadfast and a defining characteristic of who she was. She was a member of University Presbyterian Church, and more recently First Presbyterian Church of Fresno and was always at peace knowing God had a plan for her. Many of her friends stem from her church community and she always looked forward to her weekly Bible study group for fellowship and spiritual growth. She especially cherished the spiritual growth she gained through Walk to Emmaus in the 1990s.

Krista always maintained a positive and healthy lifestyle, enjoying regular walks and frequent bike rides with John during retirement. She enjoyed the sunshine of the outdoors with picnics at Bass Lake and weekend trips to the coast with John, summer camping at El Capitan State Beach, anniversaries in Hawaii and Fiji, and European adventures with their close friends Tom and Cyndee Gravette.

Unbeknownst to all, Krista had developed a rare and aggressive form of leukemia (AMML) during the latter part of summer. This quickly took over her health in her final few weeks and was confirmed by doctors the day before she passed. She will be deeply missed and continues to be loved by all of her family and friends.

Krista is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, John Sunderson; loving children Jason (Jill) Sunderson, Amanda (Will) Clark, and Nathan (Amy) Sunderson; grandchildren Owen, Kate, and Charlotte Sunderson, Charlie, Emily, Sadie, and Henry Clark, and Logan Sunderson. Also surviving are her sister Starla (Jon) Long, numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Loyette Roach, and niece Alisa Schmiege.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 19th, 2022 at 2 PM at First Presbyterian Church (1540 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721). In lieu of flowers, please honor Krista with a gift to Samaritan’s Purse, Fresno Pregnancy Care Center, or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Remembrances and condolences can be shared on her memorial website at everloved.com.