Carol Kiel

Carol Kiel, age 90 of Kalamazoo, died on February 24, 2025. She was born on Christmas Day in 1934, the daughter of Frank and Jennie (Klok) Ekema. Carol was a 1952 graduate of Plainwell High School. On October 3, 1952, she married her lifelong love, Arthur Kiel. After high school she worked at Sutherland Paper, Bennett & Bennett Insurance and kept the books for Art's Masonry business. She also volunteered at Park Village Pines and the West Michigan Cancer Center. Carol enjoyed her flower gardens, crafting and decorating her always immaculately clean home. Raising four sons and working alongside Art was her true joy. She loved her family gatherings and seeing the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved wintering in Florida and interacting with all their friends there. Art and Carol were members of Twin Lakes Reformed Church and later were members of North Park Reformed Church. Carol had a servant's heart and was happiest sharing her time with her church family, friends, and helping her children or grandchildren with any projects they were doing on their homes. She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Arthur Kiel; her children: Steve (Joyce) Kiel, Dennis (Janet) Kiel, Randy (Jill) Kiel, and Gary (Tammy) Kiel; her grandchildren: Kevin (Holly) Kiel, Amy (Dave) Balint-Kaat, Cara (Cole) Frame, Angela (Adam) Mitchell, Andy (Julie) Kiel, Jeff (Heather) Kiel, Allison (Dave) Ericks, Bethany (Scott) Lehmer, Melissa (Chris) Bierenga, Kristina (Danny) Houser, and Michael Kiel; her 31 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Norma LaRoy and Dorothy Bergman and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sons Timothy Mark and Mark Duane, her brother Leonard "Bud" Ekema and sisters: Irene Fraaza and Geraldine Westrate. Friends may visit with her family on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM at North Park Reformed Church, 1316 Barney Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49004, where her funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM, with Pastor Paul Fazio officiating. Burial will be at Alamo Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to North Park Reformed Church or Centrica Care Navigators. Please share memories of Carol with her family at