Maksis A. Grins 1920-2021

Maksis was born Dec. 2, 1920, in Daudzumos, Latvia, son of Karlis and Milda Grins. They lived in the area of Iles Pagasta and he went to school in Jaunpile, and Abguldes Agricultural School.

He married Veronika Murkskis, on Sept. 8, 1940.

Daughter, Aija, was born May 28, 1943, and later that year the three of them escaped the war in Latvia and traveled to West Germany. Daughter, Inta, was born July 9, 1946.

When Latvia was overtaken by communists, the family acquired immigration sponsorship by the Howard Holloway family through the Church World Services and traveled by boat and train to the Holloway farm in Fairfield Township in 1949, where they worked for three years.

They acquired their United States citizenship in 1954. They raised their two daughters, and in 1954, Maksis began working at Youngstown Steel Tank Co., where he worked for 30 years. In 1956, he purchased their home on Lower Elkton Road that came with two acres, which he in short order planted full of pine and fir trees along with various birch and other trees. He enjoyed working outdoors taking care of the trees, and also modifying his house himself, such as digging out a partial basement. He was a do-it-yourselfer.

When Youngstown Steel Tank closed, he went to work at another steel plant in Masury for 10 years until the age of 70. He continued working on his trees and working on maintaining the house.

He is survived by his two daughters; his sister, Vita in Cleveland; his grandchildren in Michigan; and great-grandchildren, who all helped celebrate his 100th birthday last year via Zoom.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 1 p.m. at the Seederly-Mong and Beck Funeral Home, 154 S. Elm St., Columbiana, with the Rev. Sarma Eglite from the Latvian Evangelical Church in Cleveland officiating, along with cousin Anda Pratins, who will offer a short remembrance and play her violin.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Due to our current health crisis, COVID-19, we are asking everyone in attendance to please wear a mask or face covering and to maintain all social-distancing guidelines mandated by our governor (6-foot rule and not to linger). Thank you.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made in Maksis’ memory to gofundme.com, search for Maksis Grins (https://www.gofundme.com/f/maksis-grins-computers-for-kids-in-latvija). It is for Engelu Sirds (Angels Heart), which provides computers for children in Latvia who cannot afford them to do their schoolwork.

The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana with the arrangements for their loved one. Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.

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