Rita Skostins

Rita Skostins

Midland, Michigan

     A truly remarkable & well-loved woman, Rita Skostins (née Laimins) passed away at home on Sept 28, 2023, at age 85, 3 months shy of 86. She was born in Strenci, Latvia on Dec 26, 1937, to forest ranger Peteris and Anna (née Goldbergs) Laimins. Forced to flee their homeland in Sept 1944, they escaped before the Iron Curtain fell.
Living in displaced persons camps in Germany, they arrived in New York City on July 1, 1950, before finally settling in Milwaukee, WI. In Milwaukee, she became a citizen, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, & met her beloved Olgerts, whom she married on July 9, 1967. They enjoyed 50 years of marriage before Olgerts passed on December 25, 2017.
Rita will be sorely missed by her children Ligita Wendt, Pauls Skostins, Astra Ware, & Lara Browne; grandchildren Kaija Browne, Maija Wendt, Alissa Vanderploeg (Derek), Lija Wendt, Krista Ware & Drake Browne; great-grandchildren Levi Vanderploeg & Wesley Browne; and sister Aija Ozolins (Janis).
Rita was a member of the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Church of Saginaw, the Saginaw Latvian Club & the Latvian sorority Gundega. As the daughter of a forest ranger, she loved nature and the outdoors, & considered being outdoors essential to her health. She was a devout Lutheran & passed her great love of Jesus to her children and grandchildren.
The funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Biruta Puike-Wilson will officiate with cremation to follow. Friends may visit with family from 12 p.m. Thursday until the time of the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider The Latvian Center Garezers, 57732 Lone Tree Rd. Three Rivers, MI 49093, or The Latvian Club of Saginaw scholarship fund for medical students in Latvia, c/o leva Hartwell, 2908 Georgetown Dr., Midland, MI 48642.
www.casefuneralhome.com