- Date Of Birth: January 22, 1930
- Date Of Death: October 5, 2019
- State: Michigan
Zigfrids Sr, “Zig”, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away peacefully on October 5, 2019, at Rose Arbor Hospice.
Zig was born in Latvia on January 22, 1930, to parents Eduards and Lida Jirgens.
Zigfrids immigrated from Latvia in 1950 to Ellis Island with his parents and siblings.
From there, the family settled in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Through his apprenticeship in machinery, in Germany, Zig was able to begin the groundwork of his successful career, which led him to be the owner of his own machine shop. While Zig was in Phoenixville, he met Elaine Kovatch, whom later became his wife of 60 years.
In 1955, Zig and Elaine moved to Kalamazoo to help support the family farm, and continue his desire to live the American dream.
In addition, Zig started his own business in his back garage, which was the building block to his successful business of Jirgens Modern Tool, which still continues to operate today. Another accomplishment of Zig’s includes being a part of the National Tooling and Machining Association.
Zig had a passion to carry on his heritage and culture by being actively involved in the Latvian community. Some of the important work that he accomplished was being associated with the Latvian Church, Latvian Men’s Choir, Garezers, Scout Master, Daugavas Vanagi, and the building of the Kalamazoo Latvian Heritage Center. Zig and Elaine put their heart and soul into seeing the Latvian Heritage Center be built which, fulfilled their love of the Latvian Community.
Some of the enjoyment they had was traveling around the world. Zig’s role as President of the Daugavas Vanagi, gave them the opportunity to travel to places such as, Latvia Australia, Canada, England, and Germany. Outside of the Daugavas Vanagi, Zig and Elaine enjoyed traveling across the country and internationally with the family to seek out new adventures. Zig was an avid reader, and a Fox News fan, and loved to be outside especially mowing his lawn, and spending time with his family.
Zigfrids was preceeded in death by his parents Eduards and Lida Jirgens (Senbergs); his beloved wife Elaine E. Jirgens; and his siblings: Velta Lyons, Arija Smith, Rita Paeglis, Imants Jirgens. He is survived by his children: William (Robin) Jirgens, Maija Jirgens, Ziggy Jirgens, Peter (Chris) Jirgens, and Rita Jirgens. He is survived by grandchildren: Dana (Brian) Henige, Jennifer (Tim) Rayman, Ryan Blankenship, Chad Jirgens, Zoe Jirgens-Smalla; great-grandchildren: Morgan and Gavin Rayman and Mason Blankenship.
Zigfrids is also survived by his brother Peter (Barb) Jirgens; sister Maija (Corky) Miller; brother-in-law Johnny Kovatch and several nieces and nephews.
