Maija Beck

Maija Stundins Beck, age 83, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025. She was born November 17, 1941, in Riga, Latvia ahead of the invasion by the Soviet Union. Sponsored by the Lutheran Church, the Stundins family immigrated through Ellis Island and settled in New Providence, Iowa before moving to Des Moines, Iowa.

After graduating from high school, Maija fell in love with the mountains in Denver and moved to Colorado. While there, she worked in the legal field and as a paralegal. She was an avid gardener and loved to tend to her huge flower garden. She was a great supporter of homeless animals, contributing to the local animal shelter. Maija lived with her sister, Ilze in Denver, Colorado, until health issues separated them. Maija returned to Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arvid and Anna Stundins; and her sister, Ilze Rader.

Maija is survived by her sister, Ruta Krumins; nieces, Daina Bishop and Mara Neal (Gary); and nephews, Peter Krumins (Karen), James Rader (Tuy-Van), and David Rader (Caroline).

There will be a graveside service at Oralabor Cemetery in Ankeny at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Humane Colorado, 2080 S Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80231.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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