obit templateheritagefunera2018-11-29T12:10:12+00:00
Edith (Edīte)
Edith (Edīte)
Kalnitis
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Funeral Services will be January 5, 2024, at theMilwaukee Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church,1853 N 75th St, Wauwatosa, WI, 53213Visitation from 10am-11am, followed by the funeral at 11am. Luncheon to follow.Private Interment at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
Edith (Edīte) Kalnitis, (1932-2023) née Blija, passed to eternal life November 27, 2023, peacefully and surrounded by family in the home they shared together for many years. Daughter of Fridrichs Vilhelms and Helena Blija, Edith was born in Olaine, Latvia. To escape communism, in 1944 Edith’s family fled to Germany seeking safety in the Displaced Persons Camps. In 1950, her family found a US sponsor, and arrived in Thornville, Ohio, where Edith completed an extra year of High School, in addition to the diploma she received in Germany. Edith’s family relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she met her husband Walter within the Milwaukee Latvian community. Edith and Walter enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Together they were active in many Latvian groups: Folk Dancing, Lutheran Congregations, Actors’ Troupe, Girl and Boy Scouts, Daugavas Vanagi/Vanadzes, Dzimtene Choir, and Christ Church’s Double Quartet Vocal Ensemble. Edith and Walter raised their daughter, Indra, and were involved in her Milwaukee Latvian School and Latvian Center Garezers education.
Edith found fulfillment working at Eagle Knitting, Brill Brothers, and for many years as a key punch operator at Milwaukee Insurance Company.
Edith was skilled in sewing, embroidery, and needlework. She completed Latvian Folk costumes for herself, her daughter, and her son-in-law Ernest, and took on numerous home projects, including antiquing and reupholstering furniture. In her later years, she found great fulfillment in knitting and was extremely prolific. Edith loved to knit hot pads and scarves and enjoyed gifting them to anyone who visited.
Maintaining close family ties, she visited relatives in Australia and her homeland of Latvia, and also kept in touch through letters and phone conversations.
Edith suffered severe health challenges from the time she was 51 years old. Despite significant physical limitations, she remained active in family and Latvian Community life. She was a lifelong learner of various crafts and sought to be productive. She was delighted that the wall hangings and pillows she sewed after her stroke were included in an exhibition of Latvian Textile Arts in the Canadian Latvian Song Festival, Toronto, in 1991.
Edith cherished her 6 grandchildren, helped to support their music education, and also was proud to be a great-grandmother.
Edith is preceded in death by her husband Walter (Valters) Kalnitis, and her parents, Fridrichs Vilhems Blija and Helena Blija (née Balodis).
Edith is survived by her daughter Indra (Ernest III) Brusubardis, her grandchildren Ernest IV (Stephanie) Brusubardis, Kristian Brusubardis, Viktor Brusubardis, Sonora Brusubardis, Daniella (Riley) Smith, and Arianna (Toby) Grace, two great-grandchildren Ernest V and Violet, three siblings: John Blija, Maija Hees, and Erika Blija, goddaughter Daina Blums, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other relatives in the United States, Australia, and Latvia.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Archbishop Lauma Zusevics, and Pastor Janis Ginters for their steadfast love and visits throughout the many years Edith was homebound, and to Rainbow Hospice for their expert care of Edith these past months.
Funeral Services will be January 5, 2024, at the
Milwaukee Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Holy Trinity Church,
1853 N 75th St, Wauwatosa, WI, 53213
Visitation from 10am-11am followed by the funeral at 11am. Luncheon to follow.
Private Interment at Wisconsin Memorial Park.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11:25
I was so saddened by your loss, but realize that a good life is to be celebrated, not to be mourned forever. My heart is with all the family. Pick a good memory to revisit often in the future.
Paula