Milda ''Gunta'' Smits

SMITS, Milda ''Gunta'' Kalamazoo, MI Died Friday afternoon December 1, 2006. Milda was born May 24, 1915 in Riga, Latvia, one of two children, to Peteris and Berta Berzins. On April 5, 1942 she was united in marriage to Ervins Smits in Riga, Latvia by Professor K. Kundzins. Due to the Soviet invasion Milda and Ervins immigrated to Germany and then, in September, 1949, to Kalamazoo. Milda was employed by the Upjohn Company for many years until her retirement. She was member of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Kalamazoo. Along with Ervins she sang in a Latvian Choir, Shield of Song, which performed at festivals in the United States and Canada. Milda was preceded in death by her beloved husband on November 1, 2000. She is survived by several nephews and nieces, and good friends. ?Gunta'' was generous, creative and artistic person who loved to express her thoughts and emotions through weaving, interior design, and writing poetry. Memorial services will be held 3:00 PM Thursday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Kalamazoo.