Erika Spelmanis

Erika B. Spelmanis, 94, Bismarck, died March 9, 2019, at Prairie Point Assisted Living, Bismarck.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, March 16, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Mary Lou Aune officiating. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck.

Erika Biruta Velde Spelmanis was born in Riga, Latvia on March 26, 1924 to Karlis Velde and Marija Gratulevic Velde. She was raised in Riga Latvia until World War II, then fled to Germany where she attended Nursing School. There she met the love of her life, Ed Spelmanis, in a refugee camp sponsored by the United States. There, both Erika and Edgar worked for the camp to help resettle other refugees and began their family in Germany.

When they were selected for resettlement to the United States the traveled to Bremmerhoffen, Germany and from there came to the United States on the USS Sturgis in 1949. They settled in North Dakota where she worked at Bismarck Hospital till her retirement in 1989. She enjoyed sewing and needle working when time allowed while raising her family. She loved cooking Latvian Cuisine, her pet Westie Bailey, and mostly her grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Erika and Edgar built their home in 1959 and resided there until moving to assisted living at Prairie Point November 2018.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years Edgar Spelmanis; son Egon (Mary) Spelmanis of Denver, Colorado; daughter Elaine Cofell (Wayne Axtman) of Bismarck; grandchildren Aaron and Adrian Cofell; great-grandchild Ayden Cofell; a niece and family still in Latvia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; sister; and son-in-law Neil Cofell.