Valentins J. Jaunkalnietis, 94, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2011, at
Manor-Care in Kenosha. He was born in Aluksne, Latvia on August 21, 1917, son of the late Julius and Erna (nee: Grauds) Jaunkalnietis. He was united in marriage with Ausma (nee: Nusbaums) Jaunkalnietis, twice. He came to Racine in 1950 with his family and after retirement and remarriage to Ausma, lived in the town of Lanark in Portage County.
Valentins was a cadet at the Latvian military academy and later was a Latvian legionnaire. He also worked for the postal service in Latvia. After World War II, he was in a displaced persons camp in Germany. In Racine, he worked at Western Publishing where he retired in 1982. He was a life-long stamp collector. During his retirement, he became a photographer and was a photo journalist for Latvian newspapers in the United States and Canada. Valentins was a member of Daugavas Vanagi Latvian Welfare Association and took many trips to the Latvian Center Garezers. He is survived by his children, Valdis (Lloyce) Jaunkalnietis of Pleasanton, California, Juris Jaunkalnietis, and Ilze Jaunkalnietis; step-daughter, Nora (Antonio) Pavao; and niece, Aija Jurkis all of Racine; as well as Godchildren, relatives and friends here and in Latvia. Valentins was preceded in death by his wife, Ausma; brother, Eriks Jaunkalnietis; and his sister, Margareta Jurkis. Memorial services will be held in the Draeger-Langendorf funeral home (4600 County Line Road, Racine) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2011, with Rev. Lauma Zusevics officiating. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will take place in the funeral home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Memorials to the Latvian Ev. Lutheran Holy Trinity Church in Milwaukee have been suggested. Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home 262-552-9000