Kelly James Nivison, age 49, of 1301 Michigan Avenue, died Thursday evening February 22, 2007 at his home in Gladstone.
Kelly was born October 1, 1957 at the St. Francis Hospital, the son of Dave and Mya (Aplegren) Nivison and was a lifelong Gladstone resident. Kelly was a 1975 graduate of Gladstone High School. On March 24, 1979 he was united in marriage to the former Chris Carriere at the All Saints Church and they have three wonderful children. Kelly was employed from 1977 to present at the U.P. Pipe and Concrete Company and was a member of the Teamsters Local Union #328.
Kelly enjoyed spending time with family and friends playing cards and cribbage. He loved spending time with his children, attending sporting events and school activities. In addition, Kelly enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.
Kelly leaves to survive;
His wife Chris,
2 sons: Cody and Cole of Gladstone
Daughter: Carly of Gladstone
Parents: Dave and Mya Nivison of Gladstone
2 brothers: Robert (Cathy) Nivison of Perkins; David (Milia) Nivison of Gladstone
4 Sisters: Molly (Rodney) Anderson of Hustisford, WI; Susan (Bob) Wagner of Samanak, IL; Julie (Greg) Trombly of Canton, MI; Lisa (Dennis) Largent of Boise, Idaho
Mother in law: Eleanore Carriere of Gladstone
2 Sister in laws: Bonnie (Doug) Bovin of Gladstone; Melanie (Mike) Lanier of Jacksonville, FL
Also listed among the surviving family are numerous loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kelly was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Robert and Dorothy Nivison, maternal grandparents Eric and Freda Aplegren, and his father-in-law, Clancy Carriere.
Kelly
Anonymous
So sorry……….many of my fondest childhood memories are with “Cow Joe”…summers at camp, fishing and mischief. Although we haven’t spoke in a while, he will be missed. All my best thoughts to Dave and Mya, Chris and the kids. Feel free to e me if you like. Much love, Walter
Walter Kukla
Appleton, WI
Chris I don’t think we’ve seen each other since we graduated in 75 but I remember you and Kelly were a great couple. You couldn’t meet Kelly without smiling. That is a great quality and by reading the tributes I see he didn’t change. My prayers are with you and your family.
Bruce Oman
Marinette, WI
I just wanted to again that I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you know that my family is there for you and I am glad that I was able to be there to support you and your family.
Ashley Bricker (Berg)
Tucson, AZ
Kelly was one of my many memorable students at GHS. Was shocked and saddened to learn he had passed away. My deepest sympathy to Chris, and all the Nivison family. Dave & Mya, soon we’ll sit behind you at church again and share our sorrow with you.
Dolly & Al Salmi – Rapid River
Lake Worth, FL
Dear Dave and Mya,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad and difficult time. May God be with you all.
Sincerely,
Dan and Kathy Creten
Escanaba, MI
We wish to send our heart felt condolences to the whole Nivison family.
Val and Den Hurbis, Jean and Cas Majestic
Montreal, MO
Cricket and family, and all the Nivisons,
Words can’t express how sad I was to hear the news. I have a cute story about Kelly when Sally Rajala and I were about 11 years old, Kelly was waiting tables at the A&W (he was 16 or 17). We fell head over heels for him and went there practically every day for months. We teased him and called him “waitress” and generally made huge pests of ourselves. One day we finally got up the nerve to leave him a note on a napkin telling him we had a crush on him (don’t know what we thought would come of it!). He was never anything but sweet and kind to us, even though we were surely very annoying. That’s how I will remember him. After that, he went on to work with my dad at the pipe plant for 11 years, until my dad died in 1988. My dad thought the world of him (as did my mom), and so respected his work ethic, leadership qualities, and smarts.
May reading these stories of the lives he touched bring you some peace and smiles.
Mary Martin
Lansing, MI
I’ve known Kelly since high school. My then boyfriend, Joe “Jose” Valencic was friends with him and he introduced me to Kelly. Very nice guy. Always a smile and a nice word. Funny personality. I will miss him. God bless to his wife and children. Kelly graduated with my current life partner, Mike Weir. Carly is in choral with my son, Jeremy Valencic. I’ve also talked with Chris many times on the phone at the school. I know God is looking over your family and may He, over time, ease your pain.
Mary Le May (formerly Valencic)
Gladstone, MI
Kelly was a good man. He taught me everything I knew about fishing and hunting. He had a love for the outdoors and for kids. He always took us kids out fishing everyday and hunting all the time to. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to learn my hunting and fishing skills from. And I hope he knew how much I appreciate it. I loved the guy with all my heart and always will.
Josh Brazeau
Gladstone, MI
Dear Cricket & Families;
Wishing you our heartfelt deepest sympathy in Cow-joe’s passing. May the great memories we all have, be an everlasting reminder to help ease your pain and sorrow, WITH PEACE.
Casey Majestic & Family
Gladstone, MI
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Love,
Mark, Renee, Cullen and Erin Loman
Gladstone, MI
Chris and family,
My prayers are with you and the family through this difficult time. May Kelly now rest in peace.
Tammy Carlson
San Fransisco, CA
Kelly was one of the best jig stick fishermen in Delta County. I always thought I would see him out on the water fishing long into retirement. I’mm sorry to see him go so soon.
Tony Hirn
Carney, MI
I was so sad to here about Kelly today. I found out through a good friend Kathy Allen. We had so many good times with Kelly and he will be missed. My best to the whole family. I will surely miss him.
Kimberly A. Briere
Littleton, CO
Words can’t express how we feel for your lose. Kelly was a good man, husband, and father. He will be greatly missed in our community. Our prayers and thoughts are with the whole family during this time of grieving and healing.
Jack & Sandee Olson
Gladstone, MI
To the family of Kelly Nivison,
I had the pleasure of working with Kelly at U.P. Concrete Pipe for four summers during my college years in the early ’90s. Kelly was an outstanding leader and mentor to our crew during that time. He also was like a big brother to all of us and molded many of us into the men we have become. I had since gone back to visit Kelly several times over the years at U.P. Pipe just to say hello. I’ll never forget his wit, smile, laugh, work ethic and personality.
Prayers and thoughts to all within the Nivison family.
Respectfully,
Tony Vanlerberghe
Richland, MI
Chris, Cody, Carly, and Cole,
I’m terribly sorry to hear of your tragic loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Michelle (Matter) Casey and Family
Halifax, PA
Like so many people have said, Kelly played a vital role at the pipe plant molding individuals into respectful men. I worked side by side with Kelly for the past three summers and have learned so much from this wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to the Nivison family. I will cherish the times spent and memories shared with Kelly for the rest of the my life. Thank you Kelly. Team Conspan for life.
Tommy Neuens
Saginaw, MI
To Kelly’s family: I am at a loss for words during this sad, sad time. Please know that my thoughts & prayers are with you all. Kelly is at peace, now. I hope you can find some kind of solace knowing that. I hope the fond thoughts & prayers from so many people will give you strenght to get through this.
Bambi, Nick & DaniLyn Johnson
Gladstone, MI
Chris, D.D. and the Nivison family,
I can’t begin to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. I’ve worked with Kelly for the passed 17 years and have nothing but respect for the man. I hope you relize how many young lives he touched over the years, mentoring young men trying to earn money for college. Any one of these people will tell you that Kelly demanded respect and you certainly learned how to work under his command. I know today will be difficult, but think of all the happy times and how much he meant to so many people. Julie and I are in Florida with Tim and Lori and won’t be able to make the funeral, but we have all been thinking of you and will certainly be thinking of you through out your day today. We will talk to you all soon. Take care and God Bless.
Steve and Julie DeLaire and Family
Gladstone, MI
Chris, Cody, Carly, and Cole
The Dooley’s and Keiser’s from Nebraska are thinking of you. May our thoughts and prayers be with all of you at this time.
Roxanne and Torey
Roxanne Dooley
Omaha, NE
I remember Kelly as a classmate & friend.
Chris I hope & pray that you find comfort in the memories that you shared with him. I know we are miles apart but We care for each other as friends who grew up in a small town like gladstone. Please accept our deepest sympaty & find the strength to go on in memory of Kelly.
Thinking of you,
The Laich family
Brian Lalich
St. Bonifacius, MN
I worked and partied beside Kelly for alot of years. He has, like Terry said shaped alot of young lives in the community. Nobody will be able to imatate that Kelly smirk. I am saddened that this disease took him from us. Cricket my prayers are with you and your family.
John Zar
Rapid River, MI
I just remember what a good time we all had with Kelly and Chris up at Round Lake. It was so good to see Kelly and Chris and the kids at Clancy’s funeral. I’ll never forget the hug from Kelly that day! He and his family are in my prayers.
Stephanie Williams
Omaha, NE
Cricket and family,
I’m so saddened by Cow-Joe’s passing and feel for all of you, Please know you are in my prayers. I have nothing but good memories that I will hold dear in my heart. Although I won’t be able to be there, Please know I’ll be thinking of you all.
God Bless, Sue
Suzanne Johnson
Hillman, MI
Who was Kelly to me? He was a friend who was more like a brother. Kelly was only a day older than I, so through 35 years of friendship we celebrated many birthdays, a few different jobs and a couple weddings. I was his best man and he was mine.
We enjoyed many years at hunting camp and a whole bunch of fishing trips. He got my dollar for the first legal walleye of the day more often than I got his.
He was a friend who will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. Keep Smilin’ Buddy. Love Ya.
Jay Kaufman
Gladstone, MI
When my son was three years old he was bitten by a cat. I needed to find the cat or my son would have to go thru painful rabie shots. Kelly heard about this and came over to help me find it. WE looked all day,never found the cat, but I will never forget how he helped me. Thanks Kelly!!
Rob Caliguri
Gladstone, MI
Dave and Mya and all of your family, You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Ray and Linda Leach
Escanaba, MI
Dear Dave and Mya,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am in Alabama at the moment but my thoughts are with you.
Wally Patterson
Rock, MI
Dear Chris & Family:
I was so very sad to hear of Kelly’s passing. I understand very well the pain and grief you are experiencing. Please know that you and the entire Nivison family are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love and sympathy,
Toni (Marmalick) Marchese
De Pere, WI
Dear Cricket,
Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers, Kelly was Jake’s favorite babysitter, we will miss him, he is at peace now. Love, the Goberts.
Dan, Peg, Jake and Jordan Gobert
Rapid River, MI
Chris and family
My thought and prayers are with you. May God give you strength at this very difficult time.
Linda (Moore) Grzybowski
South Lyon, MI
Crickett and family,
I speak for my family wishing to express our greatest sympathy in the loss of CowJoe…my brother Monk and he were such good friends when they were younger. Keeping you’s in our prayers daily, we will miss Cowjoe alot.
LuLu Beauchamp/Dunlop Family
Escanaba, MI
Chris and Family,
To soon parted! We are with you in spirit!
Corky and Sam
Sandra and Curtis Sundquist
Coolidge, AZ
Dear Chris and Family
My thoughts are with you and your family at this time of need. One time that we got to know Kelly is when we went out to dinner when we at GNC.
The Mileski Family
Gladstone, MI
Chris,
Blake and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. Please know that we are thinking of you every minute of the day and praying for God to lift you up in His love during this time and in the future. We will pray for the kids that they will have the strength to endure this hardship. Know that you are totally loved by me lady!!
Blessings,
Debbie
Deb Olson
Bemidji, MN
Dear Cricket & Family,
My deepest sympathy & prayer’s are with you all during this time & always.Cow-joe brought some great memories during our school days at G.H.S.!
Marie Chenier
Escanaba, MI
I knew Kelly from working side by side with him at the pipe plant for 2+ years. In those 2 years we had alot of good memories and shared alot of laughs and he was a pleasure to work with everyday. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Your friend,(perch eye) thanks for the nickname Kell
Stephen Baldovski
Pembine, WI
Cricket and Family,
I am so sorry of Kelly’s passing, my heart aches for you and I am deeply saddeded by this tragic news, as a widow my self of only a month of losing my husband Gordon, I understand your pain and greif. Please know i am thinking and praying for you. Try to focus on the support of family, friends and your faith in God for they are and will be your strength. God Bless you all
Mary Maingot
Tampa, FL
Cricket, Cody, Carly and Cole.
Our deepest sympathies to you and your entire families. Not only were we friends for more than 35 years we were neighbors for 8 years. I am beyond the loss for words but please know that my family and I will pray for you. Kow will be missed by everyone, as previously written, he was a friend and a mentor to the kids in Gladstone. His friendly smile and his humor will be sorely missed as well.
Mia, Dave and all the brothers and sisters my heart goes out to you all. This is not an easy loss to handle.
I will remember many good times and laughter and the helping hand Kow was to us as neighbors.
I will miss him.
God Bless you all .Jackie and Terry Mott children Deanna, Alaina and Alicia
Jackie [LaFond] Mott
Orange Park, FL
Dear Chris,
Just heard of the passing of Kelly. I was his classmate and President of the class of ’75. I am always so sorry to hear of the passing of many of our class mates. Know that our prayers are with you today as well as your children.
God Bless!
Rev. David J. King
Adrian, MI
Though I may not have known Kelly personally I know many members of his family and just by knowing them I know that he was a great person and that he will be missed deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jennifer Perrigo
Gladstone, MI
Kelly and Chris were my childhood buddies and the best people I know. I am so saddened to hear that Kelly is gone. Chris, I mourn with you. Please know that God will care for him now.
Jackie Doll
Milwaukee, WI
cow-joe
I will never forget the good times we shared for the last 40 years. Some of them we took to the edge, but they were all good. We cut alot of trees, managed to take home a few fish, one or two birds, an ocasional sack of mushrooms, and alot of memories, that I will cherish for as long as I live. My prayers are with you and your family. So long for now friend. [Slick]
David J Soderman
Gladstone, MI
I will never forget your great smile Kowjo,may you rest in peace.
My condolences to the entire Nivison family.
Kathy Begovac (Allen)
Trenary, MI
Chris, Cody, Carly, Cole, and all of our Michigan family – Please know that your family here in Washington are holding you all in our hearts.
Sandy and Don
Seattle, WA
We will miss Kelly for many reasons.
Kelly was always good to my son Josh and that will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and her family during these difficult times.
Bill and Susan Brazeau
Carlsbad, CA
Dear Chris and family, I was so sorry too read about Kelly’s passing. I just wanted to express my sympathy to you and to let you know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Linda, old bus #10
Linda Lamberg- Erickson
Bark River, MI
Kelly was a friend and person I had the greatest recpect for,I worked with him at UP Concrete Pipe Co.when I was a teen,and through those years since, I learned many important lessons early in my life from him that I will never forget and use still to this day.Not only myself,but this man moulded and worked with so many young people from our community,during the summer part time worker season,these young people,have went on to become,teachers,doctors lawyers,engineers,business owners,you name it ,and all of those young learned about life from him,I will miss him and would have loved to tell him thanks again.
Terry Ahola
Gladstone, MI
Joe and I have grown up with you. Gone to school together, partied together, many good times with you all. Our hearts go out to each and everyone of you.
Robin & Joe Boudreau
Perkins, MI
Kelly was a wonderful, sweet man. My heart aches for his family.
Cousin Robin (Rohr) Peabody
Minneapolis, MN
We always admired how he took care of your home on Michigan Avenue, Chris.
Carlye and Chris, we are totally devastated by the news and you know we love you both very dearly. Ken and I are in tears and wish there was something we could do for you – we are here and praying for your strength. This whole community will be praying for all of you – many, many prayers and hugs of compassion….
Lorna and Ken Benson
Gladstone, MI
Our condolences go out to the entire family. I’ll always remember his big grin. He was a good friend and we will miss him.
Brian Roy Olson
Lexington Park, MD
To the family of Kelly Nivison,
We would like to express our deepest sympathy in this trying time. We know all to well the feeling of loss you are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers our with Kelly’s family. God Bless!
Karen Peterson, Susie Creten, Cassie and Anthony Majestic and Families.
The Majestic/Peteron/Creten Families
Durand/Gladstone, MI
Chris and family,
I would like to express my sympathy to you. Kelly would come to Lundlanders and talk about his fishing and wood cutting. I will miss those times.
Jane Grodi
Gladstone, MI
Oh Cricket, I’m so very sorry for your loss and words really escape me at a time like this. Please accept the love and prayers of my family for your family at this time and always.
Edward, Brenda, and Brittany Stacey
Escanaba, MI