Mirdza (Rullis) Jesauckis, age 97, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025.

Mirdza was born on May 23, 1928, in Valka, Latvia, the oldest child of Julijs and Melanija Rullis. During World War II, in 1944, Mirdza and her family fled Latvia. While living in Germany, she served as a nurse at a Displaced Persons Camp, where she met her future husband, Arturs Jesauckis. They were married in 1950.

In 1951, Mirdza and Arturs immigrated to the United States and settled in Tacoma, Washington. She was employed for many years at the Regis Paper Company in Tacoma, where she worked until her retirement. Following the passing of her husband, Arturs, Mirdza relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2005 to be closer to family.

Mirdza was a lifelong member of Daugavas Vanagi, the Latvian welfare organization, and a devoted member of United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, where her faith and Latvian heritage remained central throughout her life.

She greatly enjoyed baking rye bread and piparkūkas at the Latvian church alongside her friends and was well known for her homemade caraway seed cheese. Mirdza loved flowers and took great pride in tending her garden. She also enjoyed traveling, visiting the casino, and swimming.

Mirdza is survived by her sister, Rasma (Rullis) O’Connell of Lincoln, Nebraska; her nephew, Chris (Nigora) O’Connell of Nixa, Missouri; Susan O’Connell of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Danica (Scott) Shafer of Seward, Nebraska. She is also survived by great-nieces Tonya (Ethan) DuPree, Harley (Terry) Haverkost, Jessica O’Connell, Natalie O’Connell, and Chloe O’Connell; great-nephews Robert (Kimberly) O’Connell, Norton Hickman, and Nathan Shafer; her great-great-nephew Callan O’Connell; and many relatives in Latvia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Julijs and Melanija Rullis; her younger sister, Inta Rullis; her beloved husband, Arturs Jesauckis; and her brother-in-law, Robert O’Connell.

Visitation will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with family present from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the family for later distribution to United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church and Daugavas Vanagi.

Mirdza’s celebration of life will be held at a later date.