Peters V. Purins, age 91 of Grand Rapids, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013. He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 60 years Ruta; children, Dr. Erik (Laila) Purins of Boston, MA and Laura (Victor) Damme of Riga, Latvia; grandchild, Aleks Purins; family members and friends locally and in Latvia. Peters was serving in the Latvian Legion during World War II. After the war in Germany, he worked at the Baltic Labor Service Guard Co. of the US Army in Europe. He immigrated to the United States in 1950 and settled in Grand Rapids. Peters worked for Grand Rapids Furniture Company; first for Hekman Furniture as an inspector and from 1965 at Kindel Furniture as quality controller until he retired in January of 1990. Peters was active in the Latvian Community, devoted to his Latvian heritage. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 20th 11:00 a.m. at the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rev. Ilze Larsen officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Valmiera, Latvia. Memorial contributions may be made to Latvian Center Garzers, 57732 Lone Tree Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093 or Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1780 Knapp Street N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
