Surrounded by her loving family, Anna Ilga Teteris of Ventura passed away peacefully at home on September 26th, 2024, at the age of 95. Family and friends will dearly miss her caring personality exhibited by her love, humor and natural elegance.
Anna was born June 17th, 1929, in Madona, Latvia, to Jekabs and Elina Trotitis. At the young age of 15, she fled Latvia for her safety during World War 2. As a refugee, she journeyed through Europe with a cousin and settled at a displaced persons camp in Memmingen, Germany. Here, she met and married the love of her life, Eriks, and gave birth to their first 2 children. In 1950, Anna and family immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. She gave birth to two more children after the family settled in Ventura, CA.
While raising her young family and helping run the family business, Anna truly lived the American dream. She was a proud and patriotic Latvian who regularly helped family and friends for decades after fleeing her home country. She raised her family while maintaining Latvian culture and traditions at home. In doing so, she ensured that her Latvian heritage was passed on to the next generations. As a loving and devoted matriarch, she was proud of her family. Although her own education was cut short due to the war, she always emphasized the importance of a higher education. When all her children completed college, she was extremely proud that she had achieved one of her most important life-long goals. Anna was a devout Lutheran and her faith remained strong throughout her life. Some of her favorite hobbies included cooking, gardening and cheering for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Eriks. She is survived by her children: Egons (Deb), Zigurds (Rolanda), Eriks Jr. (Dziesma), and Inese. She also leaves a legacy through her seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
A memorial and internment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in her name to The Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern California (1927 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039).
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.