Elma Zalgauckis

Elma Zalgauckis, 103, passed away August 19, 2015 at Valley View Village in Des Moines. Elma was born in Bauska, Latvia to Janis (John) and Emilija Zalgauckis on April 24, 1912. When the Soviet Union occupied Latvia in 1944, not wanting to live under communist rule, Elma fled to Germany and lived in a displaced person camp until 1950 when she immigrated to Holland. In 1958 Elma moved to the United States and settled in Des Moines. First working as a cook at a home for blind people and later at Wesley Acres retirement home, Elma eventually found employment as a cook and dietician at Iowa Lutheran hospital, and retired in 1977. Elma was a very active member of the Iowa Latvian Ev. Luth. Church and the Latvian Society in Iowa. She enjoyed ceramics, embroidering, raising flowers and was an avid reader. Memorial contributions may be directed to her church or the Latvian Society in Iowa. A memorial service for Elma will be held at Unity Lutheran church on Sunday, September 20 at 1:00 PM. Burial of her ashes will be at a later date in her family cemetery in Latvia.