Erika Majorins

Born in a barn on Christmas Day, 1931 in Aizpute, Latvia to Janis and Marta Smidberg. In the fall of 1949 the Smidberg family began their trek to the United States seeking refuge after racing turmoil in Eastern Europe. Settling in York, Nebraska, the Smidberg family learned of another Latvian family after reading an article in a local newspaper. Eager to connect with fellow Latvians, the two families met near the York area. A member of that other Latvian family, John (Janis), took a quick liking to Erika. He spent the next year or so trying to convince Erika to become his bride and eventually his affection won her over and the two were married on August 16, 1952, at Grace Methodist Church in Lincoln.

The two loved spending time together at Pioneers Park, often enjoying a picnic in a variety of the parks many areas. So, when it was time to find a home, and one was available a short distance from the park in West Lincoln, it was an easy decision. Here, Erika and John raised 5 kids, ran a flower shop and greenhouse business in their home of nearly 50 years. It was at this home where the two grew their family and created many lasting memories. Flowers grown on this property could be found in many homes and in weddings throughout the Nebraska community.

Erika loved being a Grandma, Great Grandma, cooking, her dogs, and hosting people at her home. Her very first job was making salads at a country club in York. Never one to write down recipes, Erika would teach her many family members by memory, often leading to frustration when trying to duplicate on their own. The Majorins family often hosted large gatherings around the holidays, filling many of the first-floor rooms, including the greenhouse area, with tables filled with relatives and friends.

Finding a love for traveling early on in their marriage, Erika enjoyed visiting many places throughout the United States. One of her favorite trips, however, was to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where she visited her daughter Elizabeth and family, who were serving as missionaries.

Erika was confirmed in a Displaced Persons (Refugee) Camp on May 16, 1948. Upon moving to Lincoln, she was a member of Havelock Alliance which later became Rosemont Alliance Church. Later she was a member of Oak Lake Free Church.

Preceded in death by her husband John, parents, and siblings, Harry, Walter and Leo. Survived by her five children; Mirdza (Roger) Lickliter of Sutherland, NE; Andrejs (Connie) Majorins of Indiana; Elizabeth (Steve) Spellman of Brazil; David (Wendy) Majorins of Lincoln; and Timothy (Cori) Majorins of Lincoln; 21 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren plus many nieces and nephews. She was also survived by three siblings; Helga Huffman of Florida; Linda Pyle of South Carolina; Archie Smidberg of Lincoln.

A funeral service for Erika will be held on Saturday August 12th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home in Lincoln. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services beginning at 9:30 a.m. Memorials are in the care of the family for future designation.