Kriss Pujats was called home to the Lord July 18, 2018. Born March 21, 1916, to the late Juris and Ieva Pujats in Kuldiga, Latvia, and married Lize Tomsevics April 29, 1941. It was in the middle of WWII when, after receiving news of an eminent occupation of the Baltic States by the then Soviet Union, he gathered his family to discuss a leap of faith that would prove to be the most important decision any man could make. He informed the family that if a move out to the country didn’t happen, they risked losing their farms and possible imprisonment in Siberia. Kriss, Lize, their son Juris (Chris) and Lize’s mother, sister and brother gathered what they could, left the rest of their families, farms and belongings behind and fled the country to a world of unknown.
Those who chose to stay succumbed to camps in Siberia for several years, or perished. After a 4-year journey that took them through several work-camps in Europe, they boarded a ship in Scandinavia and sailed to America via sponsorship from the Lutheran Church. Kriss found work as a farm-hand, saved his money and purchased a farm and eventually settled in Milladore, WI, where Kriss worked as a machinist and welder in a paper mill while Lize raised Juris and Andris, milked the cows, fed the chickens and tended her garden.
Kriss’ strong faith in God and support from his wife took them on a journey to a better life and for that, his descendants are forever grateful. Although he missed Latvia, as he knew it, he was proud to become a US Citizen and grateful for the opportunity he was given to live the American Dream. His love of God, conviction and ability to recite his favorite verses were emphasized to his family up until his last breath.
Kriss was preceded in death by both sons, and wife Lize. He is survived by daughter-in-law Jan Pujats; grandsons Jim Pujats and wife Becki, Ken Pujats and wife Michelle, Andy Pujats and wife Heather; great-grandchildren Andrew Pujats, Kyle Pujats, Callie Kmiec, Cameron Pujats, Trey Pujats, Hannah Pujats and Olivia Pujats.
Special thanks to all of those who cared for him and looked after his well-being at Mustang Creek Estates.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Saturday, July 21, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Moore Funeral Home with Rev. John Foster officiating.
John 11:25-26: I am the resurrection and the life. Whosoever liveth and beliveth in Me shall never die.
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