Carole Haivala

Carole Catherine Gaviglio Haivala, 93, passed peacefully on August 16, 2025 at Primrose Retirement Community in Gillette, Wyoming. She was with family at the time of her passing.

Carole Catherine was born on June 14, 1932 to Mary Bessolo Gaviglio and Peter Gaviglio in Negaunee, Michigan. She graduated from Negaunee High School and briefly attended Northern Michigan University of Nursing. She married John M. Haivala of Ishpeming Michigan in 1950. They were married for 56 years, until John’s passing in in their home in Painesdale, Michigan in 2006. They shared 3- children: John M. Haivala, Jr. (Nicki), Mary Dalton Haivala, and James P. Haivala. Carole was blessed to have an extended family of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, who enjoyed visiting and helping her. She dearly loved spending time with them. As well as her 3- Children, Carole is survived by 5- grandchildren and 6- great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and brother, and her first grandson Jason Michael Haivala “Jake”, who passed in 2020. The best wife, mom, granny, great granny, auntie and friend to all. She was loved and admired by an extensive and inclusive family and friends in and beyond Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Carole was a supportive wife and partner throughout her husband’s successful mining engineering career. A career that took them across the United States, before returning to the Upper Peninsula and settling in Painesdale, Michigan. They settled in the greater Houghton Michigan area in Painesdale for 39 years. During part of this time Carole enjoyed working at Superior National Bank in Houghton, Michigan. She was an active volunteer and devoted member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range, Michigan. She was involved with and supported Michigan Technological Universities’ Rozsa Fine Arts Center; as well as, the Pine Mountain Arts Festival. She shared John’s avid interest and support for the MTU men’s and women’s sports programs, particularly the Basketball programs.

Carole resided at the Bluffs Retirement Home in Houghton, MI., before relocating to Gillette, WY. to be closer to family.