Memorable Manitobans: Elza Vilhelmina Snikeris (1919-2001)

Engineer, community activist.

Born at Novgard, Russia on 26 January 1919, of Latvian parents Martins and Alma Ozolina, she came to Canada with her sister in 1947 and studied engineering at the University of Manitoba, later working for Pittsburgh Industries where she assisted in the design of buildings around Winnipeg. In 1954, she married draftsman Talivalds “Tally” Snikeris (c1921-1982) and they had four sons. Fluent in Latvian, English, German, Russian, and Polish, she joined the staff of the Manitoba Museum around 1970, working there until retirement in 1990. She was also involved in founding the Latvian Pavilion of Folklorama. In recognition of her community service, she received the Prix Manitoba (1988). She died on 15 November 2001 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Sources:

Obituary [Talivads Snikeris], Winnipeg Free Press, 21 May 1982, page 44.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 20 November 2001.

We thank Juris Snikeris for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 25 June 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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