Obituary of Emma Klimanskis

Emma Klimanskis (nee Birkavs,) formerly of Pitman, New Jersey, went to her heavenly home on February 28, 2022 at the age of 100. Emma was born in Rujiena, Latvia where she lived with her family and completed her nurses' training. Because of the Soviet occupation of her homeland during World War II, she was forced to flee and spend the ensuing war years in a displaced person's camp in Germany. When Europe's WWII refugees were granted permission and welcomed into the U.S., Emma was able to emigrate and proudly gained citizenship. She began living and working in Wilmington, Delaware and soon met her future husband, Walt (Valdis) who had also fled Latvia. After Walt completed his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, they were married and happily settled in Pitman, N.J. where they remained residents and raised their family for 30 years. They were members of the Wilmington Latvian Evangelical Church where she sang in the choir and served on the Ladies Auxiliary Committee. Emma continued her lifelong career in the medical field, working at Underwood Memorial Hospital as a registered nurse until her retirement in 1985. She enjoyed life after work, focusing on her passion for gardening, traveling and spreading love to family and friends, (including the four-legged kind.) Emma will be remembered for her compassion and warm smile to all those who knew her. She is survived by her daughters Anita Stephens, Inta (Pete) Byers, granddaughters Helene (Warren) Barrett, Stacy Byers, Lara (Jonathan) Harpe, Jaimie Byers (Justin) and five great grandchildren. Memorial service will be private and held later this year at the Latvian Memorial Park in Tannersville, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Latvian Lutheran Church of St. John, 301 North Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, PA. 19073.