Edmunds Ozolins

Edmunds “Ed” Ozolins, 93, Wausau, passed away on Friday, September 10, 2021 at Rennes Health and Rehabilitation Center, Weston, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

He was born February 11, 1928 in Riga, Latvia, the third son of Juris and Aline (Kaktins) Ozolins.  Ed had four brothers and four sisters with one sister surviving in Riga, Latvia.

Ed left Latvia in 1944 at the age of 16, when German forces evacuated him before the Russian Army occupied Latvia for the second time.  The German forces evacuated him to Germany after WWII.  In Germany, he met his wife, Lisa Neutz.  They married in July of 1949 in Germany, and in 1951 they immmigrated to the United States as displaced persons and refugees.

They were married for 62 years until she passed away in August of 2010.

Within a year upon arriving in the United States and hardly speaking the English language, Ed enrolled in Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa to start his education in the field of architecture.  He had two dictionaries under his armpits, one Latvian to English, the other German to English.  His basic understanding of the English language was limited.  After three years of studies, he left Ames, Iowa because of financial difficulties.  He moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to work for a local architecture firm, Larson and Playter.  He continued his education part time at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  Ed eventually obtained his architectural license and started his own business, Ozolins Architect.  He was later joined by his partner, Dennis D’Jock and formed Ozolins-D’Jock Architects.  He retired in 1976.  Ed and Lisa remained in Eau Claire until moving to Wausau in 2009.

During his lifetime, Ed was active in many civic organizations, which include president of the Eau Claire Jaycees, director with the Wisconsin Jaycees, chair officer for the Eau Claire Elks Lodge, chairman for the town of Seymour Planning and Zoning Board and director for the Altoona Lake Rehabilitation Board.  Ed was also a member of the Eau Claire Male Chorus.

While living in Eau Claire, he purchased a cottage on North Shore Drive on Altoona Lake.  As the family grew, the cottage was expanded to a five bedroom home.  He enjoyed fishing, boating, and snowmobiling with his family.  The view of the lake was greatly missed by Ed and Lisa when they moved to Wausau.

Survivors include, his daughter, Ilona (Jeffry) Gibson, Eau Claire; sons, Craig (Barney) Ozolins, Becker, MN and Kent (Tina) Ozolins, Wausau; granddaughters, Brittney Ozolins, Milwaukee and Amber Ozolins, Stevens Point; great-grandsons, Brandon (Kailey) Moen and Caleb Moen; and many cousins and nieces in Latvia.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, four brothers, three sisters, grandson, Jeremy Moen, and granddaughter, Carmen Moen.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Primrose Retirement Community for the exceptional care, love and support for Ed. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

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