Carol Aivars

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Carol L. Aivars, 73, on the morning of Thursday, May 28, 2020 at Sunrise of Cascade in Grand Rapids. She was lifted up to Heaven where there is no more confusion or pain...only peace and love. Carol was a gentle soul that will be missed dearly by many. She was born November 3, 1946 in Kalamazoo to the late William and Bethel (Fenner) Burkam. Carol was united in marriage to Janis "John" Aivars on July 24, 1999. Carol grew up in the Oakwood neighborhood of Kalamazoo. She graduated from Loy Norrix High School in 1964. She attended nursing school in Kalamazoo and obtained her LPN certification. Carol initially worked within Borgess Hospital until she took on a nursing position at Kalamazoo Dermatology. She was devoted to her nursing career there for over 30 years until she retired in 2001. In 1969, Carol married her first husband, Jerry, and they resided in the Gun Lake area for several years before moving back to Kalamazoo. Carol raised her children in the Comstock School District and resided there until 1999 when she married her second husband, John, and moved to Portage. Carol was known as a natural caretaker, always looking out for the needs of others. She was kindhearted, unselfish, and intelligent with a wonderful sense of humor. Carol had a wonderful way of making everyone around her feel comfortable. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, gardening and baking. She was a dedicated parent, attending her children's school activities and functions. Carol also had a tender heart for animals, enjoyed listening to a variety of music, and traveling to the western states with John. Unfortunately, Carol was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia in 2012. She sadly developed other medical conditions shortly after, which complicated the advancement of her dementia. With her wellbeing in mind, Carol was moved to an assisted living community in November of 2018. Carol is survived by her husband, John Aivars; children, Amy (Chris) Yoder and Scott Spangler; brother, Jeffrey Burkam; former spouse, Jerry Spangler; former sister-in-law, Patricia (Mike) Mulligan; mother-in-law, Irma Aivars; brothers-in-law, Paul (Kathy) Aivars, Martin Aivars, Peteris (Nora) Aivars; former sister-in-law, Kathy J. Aivars; nephews, Alex Aivars and Peter Aivars; nieces, Daina (Tim) Graves, Bailey (Jeffrey) Witt and Ilze Aivars; and several cousins. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bethel Burkam; her paternal and maternal grandparents; all of her aunts and uncles; and her former in-laws, Mervin and Irene Kennedy, Harley and Evelyn Switzer. At the family's request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place at a later date to be announced. Services are entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Memorial donations may be directed to the Bissell Pet Foundation (www.bissellpetfoundation.org) or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org) Please visit Carol's personalized webpage at https://www.langelands.com