Helmut and Antje Oja

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Antje Oja on February 13, 2025. Antje was born on June 8, 1938. She was predeceased by her husband Helmut on June 9, 2022. The lives of Helmut and Antje were quite extraordinary. Helmut fled Estonia when Russia invaded Estonia in 1944. He arrived in Napa through a sponsorship from the Lutheran Church. He resided on a chicken farm while attending school at Napa High School and was a Napa High graduate. He enlisted in the Air Force and upon his discharge he worked at Kaiser Steel for a year before he began work at Mare Island.

Antje arrived in America with her girlfriend, Ursela. Both of them were nurses in Germany and wanted to work in the US for one year. They set their sights on Queen of the Valley Hospital where they would work for free until they could learn English and pass the exam necessary for them to have their nursing license here in Napa. They really only planned on being here for one year before they met their husbands and settled here.

Helmut and Antje met at Little Switzerland in Sonoma in the early 1960's which was known for its polka dancing. They both loved polka dancing so much that they used to compete wherever they could. They would earn many accolades and trophies for their dancing skills.

In 1963 they were married at the Lutheran Church where they were lifelong members. In 1965 they welcomed their first son Tomas. Soon followed by his little brother, Sven in 1967. The family spent many years traveling the world. They would travel to Germany every other year to spend time with extended family and enjoy other exotic places like Tahiti, Italy, Canada and all across America in their RV. All in all Helmut and Antje visited 45 countries.

Helmut enjoyed his career at Mare Island until he retired in 1990 to spend time with their first grandson Stephen. Antje also had a very satisfying career at Queen of the Valley Hospital as a nurse, special procedures nurse, and eventually nursing supervisor during her 35 years there.

Both Helmut and Antje lived a life full of family faith and love. We owe a special debt of gratitude to all of their friends in the neighborhood. They kept a very watchful eye on them these past several years and for that we are truly grateful.

Helmut and Antje are survived by their son Tomas, his wife Luci, their children Alexi, Jordan and Emily; son Sven, his wife Lori, grandson Stephen, his wife Heather and their two children Eleanor and Clayton.

If you would like to make a donation in their honor please do so at:

Providence Community Health Foundation Napa Valley

414 South Jefferson Street

Napa, CA 94559 Helmut and Antje Oja