Mirdza Paudrups

PAUDRUPS, Mirdza
of Anniston, AL, formerly of Kalamazoo Mirdza Paudrups, 96, passed away at her home in Anniston, Alabama on November 11, 2011 from natural causes. She was born in Riga, Latvia on February 25, 1915, the daughter of Juris and Olga Ansbergs Renebuss. She and her husband, Herberts Paudrups, were held in work camps in Germany. She came to the United States in 1949 and lived in Joplin, MO for a few years until her move to Kalamazoo, MI. She was very active in preserving the language and culture of her homeland for generations of children, and was a most beloved teacher and leader for the Girl Guides. She was a huge presence in many of her student's development. She taught Latvian grammar, dance and culture at the Garezers Latvian Summer High School in Three Rivers, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herberts Paudrups, and her granddaughter, Katerina Mirdza Paudrups. She is survived by her son, Martins Paudrups Alice Rodopoulos; granddaughter Anastasia Paudrups; grandsons, Martin and Ted; and her sister, Marga Leach. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 12:00 PM in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Kalamazoo, 122 Cherry Hill, with Rev. Biruta Puike and Rev. Lauma Zusevica, officiating. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Garezers Latvian High School, at 57732 Lone Tree Road, Three Rivers, Michigan 49093 - 9549. Arrangements by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.