Strautmanis, Valdis Of Waukesha. Passed into Eternal Life on Sunday, February 5, 2017, at home in perfect peace surrounded, by his loving wife, of 57 years, and his family. He was born February 9, 1931 in Riga, Latvia. His family became political refugees as Russian communists approached Latvia in October, 1944; they sought refuge in Displaced Persons Camps in Fischbach, Dillingen and Augsburg, Germany then through the International Refugee Organization the family found sponsors in the United States. They arrived at the port of New Orleans, LA in 1950 on the General Taylor DP ship. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ sponsored the family to come to Ripon, WI, and then later moved to Fond du Lac, WI. Valdis' first job in the USA was at Rippin' Good Cookies, later at Mercury Marine. He was drafted into the Korean War and served the United States in Korea from 1952 to 1954 in the Field Artillery 17th Division. Valdis studied Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin - Madison; after the university he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for 35 years and retired from there in 1991. In December 1958, Valdis met the love of his life, Austra, at a Latvian Dance in Milwaukee. Austra Liepins and Valdis entered into Holy Matrimony on December 12, 1959, the couple settled in Waukesha, WI and started a family of their own, raising 3 children. Valdis loved nature and travel. He loved taking camping trips with the family, going on long hikes, traveling through the USA and exploring all the National Parks. He was an avid athlete, enjoying skiing, swimming, jogging, bicycling and tennis; after retirement Valdis and Austra expanded their travels to Europe, and even returned to their homeland Latvia for a few visits. Surviving relatives, wife, Austra Strautmanis (nee Liepins); daughter, Anita Strautmanis; sons, Edvins (DeAnn Johnson) Strautmanis and Ivars Strautmanis; grandchildren, Edwin and Katelyn Strautmanis, Andra and Amanda Berzins; great-grandson, Jack Strautmanis; brother, Imants Strautmanis; sister, Helen Zarins, 2 goddaughters, nephews, nieces, and relatives in Latvia. A visitation for Valdis will be held Wed., Feb. 8, 2017 from 10:00 AM until the time of the 11:00 AM. Funeral Service at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd. Waukesha, WI 53188. The burial will take place at Prairie Home Cemetery immediately following the service. In Lieu of flowers, memorials to the Latvian Ev. Luth. Holy Trinity Church of Milwaukee, 1853 N. 75th St. Milw. WI 53213 would be appreciated.
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Feb
8
10:00 a.m.
Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home237 North Moreland Boulevard., Waukesha, WI 53188
Feb
8
11:00 a.m.
Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home237 North Moreland Boulevard., Waukesha, WI 53188
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Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home237 North Moreland Boulevard., Waukesha, WI 53188
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