Obituaries Archive
Obituaries » Ivars Grivins
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Show Obituaries Show Guestbook Show Photos QR Code PrintA funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family on Tuesday evening, February 1, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. John will be laid to rest next to Nancy at Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Memorial contributions may be made to Stanford Adult Care Lodge of Plainwell or the charity of one’s choice, in c/o the funeral home.
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Age 83, passed on Friday morning, January 28, 2022. John was born in Riga, Latvia, on November 13, 1938, the son of Voldemars and Marta (Mikelson) Grivins. John was married for over 35 years to Nancy Reid who preceded him in death. He was the owner and manager of U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, where he hosted many NHRA events, including the Popular Hot-Rodding Championships. He is being remembered as being one of the nicest track owners that many drivers had ever raced for. In 2004, he was inducted into the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame. John proudly served his adopted homeland in the United States Army National Guard. John is survived by his lifetime partner, Lenna Ouding of Otsego; his child, Petra (Jennifer) Grivins; grandsons, John and Janus; sisters-in-law, Gita Grivins and Sharon (Rod) Nunnelee; nephews, Guntars Grivins and Raimonds (Anita) Grivins; nieces, Sandra Balog and Karen (Audie) Tarpley; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Catherine; and his brother Gunars.