Regina Zvejnieks-Burgelis

Regina Burgelis-Zvejnieks (née Krecko); affectionately known as Ocite to her family. Age 93 of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Born to eternal life May 16, 2015. She was born on July 16, 1921 in Moscow and grew up in "Silakrogi," Vestiena, Latvia. Daughter of Stanislavs and Emma Krecko (Klavina). Preceded in death by her brothers Andrejs and Francis Krecko (Dr. Irene); husband Imants Burgelis; husband Dr. Andrejs Zvejnieks; and sisters-in-law Aija Vanags (Janis) and Vija Ernstsons (Olgerts). Will be dearly missed by her daughter Gundega Mezmalis; son, Andrew Egils Burgelis (Gunta); son-in-law Admiral Andrejs Mezmalis; daughter-in-law Aija Burgelis; step-son Dr. Peter Zvejnieks (Debbie); grandchildren Mara Healy (Christopher), Sonja Jansons (Maris), Melania Burgelis (Emmanuel Rilcy), Peter Burgelis and step-granddaughter Abigail Zvejnieks. Ocite also shared her loving wisdom with her great-grandchildren Aidan, Maeve, Declan, Roberts, Sidonie, Davids and Aiabel. Further missed by many godchildren, nieces and nephews. Ocite was a 1940 graduate of Priekulu Agricultural Tehnikums in Latvia. She married Imants in 1941 but they and their two young children were forced to flee their homestead amidst Russian and German fighting in 1944 to the Fischbach displaced persons camp in Germany. In 1949 they immigrated to the United States in Senatobia, Mississippi via the USS Omar Bundy. Imants and Ocite relocated to join the growing Latvian community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1951. She had a successful career as an underwriter at Robertson & Ryan Insurance for 25 years. Upon retirement they settled on a farm in Elkhart Lake, WI and raised beef cattle. An avid gardener, Ocite enjoyed barefoot early morning walks through her over-sized garden. She was an active person who practiced yoga every day and supported many charities including the Latvian Welfare Association Ladies Auxiliary (Daugavas Vanadzes) as chairwoman for many years. She also provided funds to ensure each child at her primary school in Vestiena, Latvia would receive a daily hot breakfast and lunch. After the passing of her husband Imants in 1985 she married Dr. Andrejs Zvejnieks in 1987 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she enjoyed golf and travelling the world. She visited Latvia multiple times and reclaimed her homestead, "Silakrogi." She returned to Elkhart Lake in 2002 and spent her final years enjoying her great-grandchildren and unparalleled hilltop sunsets from her farm overlooking the Sheboygan River valley. Wake and Visitation at 10 am and Funeral 11am Saturday May 23, 2015 at the Milwaukee Latvian Ev. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1853 N 75th Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Graveside burial to follow at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W Capitol Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Milwaukee Latvian Ev. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church or Latvian Center Garezers Scholarship Fund. The family appreciates and thanks Dr. C. Kumar of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center as well as the staff at Sharon Richardson Hospice for their special, personalized care.