VELTA VACIETIS

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VELTA VACIETIS

October 7, 1924 – August 25, 2023

One of the hardest things for a child of any age to do, is to say goodbye to one's parent.

It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend VELTA VACIETIS (nee Kaktins) on August 25, 2023, at the age of 98.



Mom was predeceased by her mother, Amalija; father, Julius; husband Alex; brother Gunars and sister-in-law Ausma.



Mom is survived by daughter Sandra Coates (Rod); grandson Jason (Lorraine), great-grandchildren Elise and Alex; granddaughter D'Arcy, great-grandchildren Roark and Jordyn. Daughter Laima (Tom); grandson Ray (Trevor); granddaughter Jen (Gary). Niece Sylvia-Linda Kaktins, nephew Kenneth Kaktins (Jen) and family.



Mom was born October 7, 1924, in Tukums, Latvia. At the age of 20 she fled to Germany in October of 1944 to escape the advancing Russian army with her brother Gunars in hand...leaving her family behind. At the age of 25 she landed at Pier 21 in Halifax from a refugee camp in Hanau, Germany with her husband Alexsanders and year-old daughter Laima and started her journey to Manitoba. From the sugar beet fields to Aberdeen Avenue to South Drive, a very determined young woman learned the strange English language, worked at Eaton's mail order wrapping parcels for Christmas, learned how to survive a Manitoba winter, walked to the Legislative building on a cold winter day to confront the agriculture minister about finding employment and, with a little bit of help from Lady Luck, landed on South Drive in January 1950 to work for the Bonnycastle family as housekeeper, chef and gardener; all the while looking after Laima and second daughter Sandra Mary born January 7, 1951.



During her last days at River Ridge, on the Red River, Mom liked to talk about the great flood of 1950 and how that experience influenced her decision to buy her first house in St. James well away from the water. The family home on Wallasey started off literally as a little house on the prairie, no indoor plumbing and through her hard work and determined sweat equity it became the gathering place for many a happy family celebration. Mom was a fabulous cook and baker not to mention seamstress and gardener and Jill-of-all trades! In the fifties Mom discovered her Shang-ri-la at Red Rock Lake in the Whiteshell and orchestrated the project from clearing the land to organizing and overseeing the building of the cabin. This was her Happy Place for many years until failing health robbed her of spending time there.



Mom was a very special woman; multi-talented and gifted with a huge heart and fierce determination to take care of her family. She had a special connection with each and every one of us.



Family will celebrate Mom's life at a later date at her Happy Place!



In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of choice and/or plant a tree in her honour.

"Mom, we love you! We miss you! You are that little voice saying: "it is what it is"... "what will be will be"… " Along the way I learned some simple truths: that life is without guarantees, that every moment counts, and that love endures."

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS

(204)-253-5086

VELTA VACIETIS

October 7, 1924 – August 25, 2023

Velta Vacietis (nee Kaktins) has passed away at the age of 98, with family by her side.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service was held.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and sign the online book of condolences at ejcoutu.ca
A longer obituary to follow.

E.J. COUTU & CO FUNERAL DIRECTORS
(204)-253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 29, 2023, Sep 02, 2023