RASMA TIMMA

1923 - 2015

Rasma Timma Rasma Timma passed away August 26, 2015 at Tacoma General Hospital after a courageous battle with multiple medical problems. Her inner strength and positive spirit served as an inspiration to all who knew her. She was mentally sharp to the end, and the sparkle in her eyes and her ever-present wit and charm will be surely missed. She loved music and the arts, and still played the piano magnificently at 92 years old. Rasma was born February 7, 1923 at her family home in Duntas County, Latvia. She graduated from high school in Limbazos, Latvia, and during the turmoil of WWII she was displaced to Germany where she met and married a medical student, Janis Taurins. Rasma then attended the Baltic University (1946) and later the University of Bonn (1947-49), where she studied dentistry. Her studies were disrupted by the need to care for her husband, who contracted terminal tuberculosis and subsequently passed in 1949. Yearning for a new start in the United States, Rasma traveled by ship to New Orleans in 1952. With little money, she bought a royal blue outfit with a yellow blouse that made her feel proud and happy in this new country. She then journeyed to the Pacific Northwest and joined her extended family, the Dermanis, in the Tacoma/ Puyallup area. Along with a number of other fellow immigrants, she worked as a seamstress at Day Manufacturing in Tacoma. While living in Tacoma, Rasma joined the Tacoma Latvian Ev.-Lutheran Church, becoming a lifelong member and singer in the choir. It was there that she met and married Alexander Krumins in 1955. They had two sons, Alexander Krumins Jr. and Peter Krumins MD. Her greatest loves were cooking, playing piano, singing, and, most importantly, taking care of her family. Rasma also achieved Master Gardener certification, and worked at the Lakewold Estate for many years. Her husband, Alexander Krumins passed in 2002. Rasma then married Imants Timma in 2005. Together they enjoyed daily walks, attending the symphony and opera, and simply visiting with family. Rasma was preceded in her death by her parents Vilis and Laura Argalis, her uncle Alexander Argalis, her aunt Milda Dermanis, and her sister Ruta Irbe. She is survived by her husband Imants Timma, her sister Ilze Kalnins and brother-in-law Vid Kalnins, her sons Alex and Peter Krumins, daughters-in-law Christine Krumins and Konni Wagner, grandchildren Chad, Chase, Chandler, Benjamin, Stuart, and Emma Krumins, cousins Inara Vehvelainen, Paul Dermanis, and Peter Treijs, and many friends who will miss her dearly. The family wants to thank all those who helped care for her and her "tiger spirit' at Allenmore and Tacoma General Hospitals, as well as Orchard Park. A private memorial service will be held with family and close friends attending to celebrate her long and storied life.