Elza Rasa

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Elza Rasa was a private woman filled with never-ending strength, timeless wisdom, and unwavering courage. With a journey that was torn from the harshest pages in history, the way before her was anything but easy for Elza, yet she was filled with a gracious joy that is an inspiration to all who knew her. Someone who was selfless in all things, Elza viewed being a mother to be both her highest calling and her greatest gift, and she leaves behind a shining legacy that will be proudly carried on by the generations who follow her. A young Latvian couple was thrilled to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts in the midst in 1914. Baby Elza was one of two children born to her parents, Janis and Anna Brieditis, and was raised alongside her brother, Voldis, during her earliest years. After finishing primary school Elza entered the commercial school, and by that time her father was no longer with the family. Although her childhood was not easy, Elza enjoyed spending summers at the farm where her mother was raised. Like so many other young people of her generation Elza had to leave school to begin working. She spent two years working as a seller in a shop before spending four years working in a silk weaving company. New and exciting changes were in store for Elza when she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was Peter Kazaks, and they met on her mothers childhood farm where she loved spending time. Deeply in love, the couple was married on Christmas in 1939. They shared their home with Peters sister, Velta, for a time but were truly elated with the birth of their daughter, Ruth, in 1940. With a desire to escape the communist regime that had taken over their country, Elza left her homeland with her mother and daughter in 1944. It was during this time that Peter was mobilized and Elza and her young daughter never saw him again. Along with her mother and daughter, Elza entered Germany where they lived in primitive barracks and were required to work hard. Elza was no stranger to hard work and was willing to do whatever was needed to provide for herself and her daughter. There was little reward for their work, however, as their food mainly consisted only of potatoes and a meager piece of bread. There was great rejoicing when the American Army came to occupy Germany in 1945 as they brought the native people liberty and much needed food. While in Germany Elza began working distributing food at the camp distribution point from seven oclock in the morning until eight oclock in the evening. Her mother found work washing clothes for others while Ruth attended the second class in primary school. With a desire to find a better life in America, Elza drafted immigration papers that included a letter written to Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Aurilla Jacobs of Greenville, Michigan. This American couple agreed to sponsor Elza, her daughter, and her mother. Elza stated she was more than willing to work hard in whatever way was needed. In October of 1949 Elza arrived in America surrounded by a language and customs that were completely foreign to her. She and Ruth lived with the Jacobs and worked as their housekeeper while her mother was taken in by a different family in Greenville. In 1955 Elza married Arvid Rasa whose family had also been displaced during WWII. They moved into their own home in Greenville where they continued to raise and support Ruth. Throughout her life Elza was always greatly appreciative of everything she had. She and Arvid were blessed to share ownership of a cottage with dear friends in Greenville. While there Elza tapped in to her passion for swimming. The lake provided Elza with the opportunity to satiate many of her interests including fishing and having picnics in addition to swimming. She was quite talented at fishing, too, and blue gill was often part of her favorite evening meal. Elzas favorite activity was walking, and no matter the weather she would be out there fighting the heat, cold, rain, and snow to get her daily walk in. She was a firm believer in healthy eating and an active lifestyle long before doing so was the latest trend. Elza enjoyed spending time in the kitchen and taught her daughter, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren how to cook Latvian food. Latvia regained it's independence in 1990, and in 1994 Elza and Ruth made a trip back to her native homeland. She was able to show Ruth Latvia through her eyes and was reunited with her friends and family including her brother whom she had not seen for 50 years! This was the trip of a lifetime and was perhaps one of the happiest three weeks of her life. A woman of deep compassion, Elzas devotion to Mrs. Jacobs remained intact even when she no longer worked for her. She and Arvid allowed her to live in the other side of a very nice duplex they built and were so proud of in Greenville. Together Elza and her husband cared for Mrs. Jacobs until her death. Throughout her entire life Elza was gripped by the fear that dominated her life as her family was torn apart in her native Latvia. She never spoke much of her experiences there, but occasionally shared a story or two with her loving family. Elza was deeply proud of her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they were forever her greatest source of pride and joy. She did instill great wisdom into the younger generations such as the need for good manners and to be respectful in addition to sitting up straight, saying please and thank you, valuing education, and taking pride in your home. A hardworking woman who was content in all things, Elza Rasa taught us that happiness is not found in what we have, but in the love we share with others. She took great care in creating a beautiful home and garden that was a haven to all who entered. Elza will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Elza Rasa died on Saturday, July 21. Elzas family includes her daughter, Ruth Grinbergs of N. Muskegon; granddaughters, Lisa (Frank) Cobb and Lidia (Rod) Hayhurst, both of N. Muskegon; great-grandchildren, Jimmy and Noah Cobb and Ellen and John Hayhurst; sister-in-law, Velta (Karl) Purmalis and family of California; and very special extended family member, Amy Oster of Chicago. A private memorial service will be held for Elza on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.