Kettering, OH – Ausma V. Erikson, a lifelong artist and active member of the Dayton Latvian community, passed away on , just weeks before her 100th birthday. She would have turned 100 on .
Born in Riga, Latvia in 1926, Erikson immigrated to the United States with her family in 1949. She dedicated her life to the arts, primarily working with oil paints. For over three decades, she was a valued member of Dayton’s Society of painters and sculptors, regularly exhibiting her work at art shows and juried exhibitions throughout the Dayton area.
Erikson’s professional life included positions at Capital University in Columbus, and later in retail at Thals and Lazarus in Dayton. Beyond her artistic pursuits, she was deeply involved in preserving and celebrating Latvian culture in the Dayton area. She served as secretary of the Latvian Ev.-Lut church in Dayton and frequently showcased Latvian artwork, jewelry, and cultural traditions at events like the Dayton Convention Center’s international festival.
She shared 58 years of marriage with her husband, Arvo, who preceded her in death in 2005. Erikson is survived by her two daughters, Silvia (John) Langdon and Karen Erikson, as well as five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Velta Melnbrencis, and her parents, Oscar and Zelma Melnbrencis.
A visitation will be held on from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Eastern time) at Routsong Funeral Home – Kettering, located at 2100 E. Stroop Road, Kettering, OH 45429. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM (Eastern time) at the same location.
Those wishing to honor her memory may send flowers, plant a tree, send a card, or make a gift in her name, as detailed on the Routsong Funeral Home website.
