Tekla Svanks

Tekla Svanks, nee Stabauss, age 95, of Columbus and Santa Barbara died Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Santa Barbara, California. She was born November 23, 1915 in the Balva Region of Latvia. She received her pharmacy degree from University of Latvia in 1942. She immigrated with her husband, Karlis Svanks, and daughter Ilze to the United States in 1950. She lived in Columbus until 2008 when she relocated to Santa Barbara. In Columbus she raised two daughters, and was employed for the majority of her working life in the Physiological Chemistry Department at Ohio State University. She was a member of the lively Latvian Community in Columbus and the Latvian Sorority Aurora, supporting the continuance of Latvian culture and language in the U.S.A. In addition to being an avid gardener she enjoyed her years of international travel and attending opera performances in New York City with her husband who preceded her in death in 2005. She is survived in the U.S, by her daughters, Rita (Peter Craycroft) Svanks and Ilze (Phil) Landfried; grandchildren Alija Craycroft and Stefan Landfried; and other relatives by marriage Aivests (Stephanie)Vecozols of Columbus, Ina Fogels of Washington D.C., Lolita Ball of California; and other relatives and friends in Latvia. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 10: AM in Chapel A at the Union Cemetery, 3349 Olentangy River Road, with internment to follow. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 614-457-5481. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.