Carol Marie Kavadas, 81, passed away on April 20, 2025, at her home in Ankeny. She was born in Des Moines on October 15, 1943, the daughter of Samuel and Nola Cummings.

A lifelong learner, Carol was a graduate of Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, later receiving her bachelor’s degree, and most recently was active in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Drake University.

Carol enjoyed travelling and spent many years travelling the world with her beloved husband Dan. A diehard sixties hippie, she never missed an opportunity to discuss politics, economics, and social justice. Carol was an avid gardener who spent many therapeutic hours digging in the dirt and growing the most beautiful flowers. Her most recent mission was texting to check on a multitude of people daily including her 10 grandchildren, children, and various people she cared about.

She is survived by her daughters, Kristina Kavadas, Amy Gates (Paul), and Susanna Harding; her grandchildren, Nick McCombs, Skylar (Colin) Piscitello, C.C. Mathieu, Cade McCombs, Camden McCombs, Sophia Gates, Thomas Gates, Gabriella Harding, Vaughn Harding, and Vinny Harding; great-grandson, Arlo Piscitello; brother, Gary “Butch” Cummings; sister-in-law, Carol Cummings; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Nola Cummings, and her husband of 51 years, Dan Kavadas.

Services will take place at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 SW Walnut St, Ankeny, IA). Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025, and the memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25. The service will be live streamed at Kavadas Memorial - Ankeny First United Methodist Churchdr1nZ. A graveside service for the family will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bidwell Pantry, 1203 Hartford Ave., Des Moines, IA 50315, www.familiesforward.org

Peace, love and remember to recycle. As Carol would say, “see you on the other side”.

Visitation

Apr

24

Ankeny First United Methodist Church

206 SW Walnut St.
Ankeny, IA 50023

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Memorial Service

Apr

25

Ankeny First United Methodist Church

206 SW Walnut St.
Ankeny, IA 50023

11:00 AM