Spodra Gendrikovs

Passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the age of 90. Spodra was born in Ezere, Latvia, on September 11, 1928, the daughter of the late Eduards Beltins and Milda (Indrovics) Beltins. Spodra's life-journey began in Latvia, with her childhood and youth spent in the countryside in Ezere, near the Latvian-Lithuanian border. As a teenager, Spodra with her family fled Latvia during WW2, and subsequently spent time in displaced persons camps in Germany, where she met her future husband, Rudolfs Gendrikovs. On May 5, 1951, they were united in marriage and were together for 65 years. Rudy preceded her in death in 2017. They immigrated to America, sailing past the Statue of Liberty on Valentine's Day, 1952, with the sponsorship of the Garvin family in Niles, Michigan, and later moved to Kalamazoo. After several years in America, Spodra was proud to earn her American citizenship. Spodra was an avid reader, gardener and her flowers were her solace, pride and joy. She was a gifted seamstress and sewed intricate and beautiful clothing for herself, her mother, and her two children. Spodra was a very giving person, very careful and exact in her approach to all things and known for her baking of special Latvian breads and foods. Spodra was a member of the Kalamazoo Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church. Surviving are her two children; Dzintars "Z" Gendrikovs and Sandra Bayer (Thomas); grandchildren, Steven (Emily), Krystina, Georg and Petra; great-grandchildren, Anna, Carl and Milla; her sister Mirdza Rollis with extended Vizulis and Lizenbergs families, along with beloved family and friends both here and abroad. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 2, at the Kalamazoo Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church, 122 Cherry Hill St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., officiated by Rev. Aija Graham. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Kalamazoo Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007.