Velta Anast

Velta (Muiznieks) Anast was born July 8, 1929 in Rugaji Latvia, one of five children, and the only daughter of Aleksandrs and Beatrise (Vanags) Muiznieks. She spent her early childhood on a large family farm and enjoyed visits to the capital city of Riga. When she was 10 years old, Germany made a pact with Russia allowing Russia to take over Latvia. Velta’s father was active in politics and resisted this change, going underground so the family would be safe. As World War II progressed, Germany briefly liberated Latvia, but the Russians reclaimed it in 1944. The retreating German forces allowed fleeing families to board ships headed to Germany. Velta’s father was terminally ill and insisted Beatrise and the children leave. The family spent the next four years as refugees, working first on assigned farms in Thuringia and then in a displaced persons camp in Fischbach near Nuremberg. Velta completed high school while in the camp and was active in various sports. In 1949, her family immigrated to the U.S., sponsored by cotton farmers in Looxahoma, Miss. They arrived in New Orleans grateful for new opportunities but speaking very little English. After a time, Velta took an entrance exam for a nursing program and to her surprise was accepted. In 1953, she completed college courses and nursing training at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. and moved to Chicago to join her family that had moved north for better job opportunities and were part of a thriving Latvian immigrant community. She began work at Ravenswood Hospital, completed a master’s program in nursing at Loyola University of Chicago, and was active in Latvian society. Nurses in the Latvian community in Chicago credited Velta as the groundbreaker who inspired other young immigrant women to pursue nursing careers. 

Velta met her late husband George T. Anast, MD, at Ravenswood Hospital where they both worked. They were married in November 1972 and moved to Minocqua where George built an orthopedic practice and Velta was his nurse.

Velta worked alongside George at Howard Young Medical Center until she retired in 1994. During that time, she was active with the Howard Young Foundation, the Minocqua Country Club, the Lake Minocqua Association, and many other local clubs and organizations. She was an avid gardener known for her beautiful driveway landscaping and her deck of overflowing flower pots. She was the consummate hostess and anyone lucky enough to find themselves at her dinner table remembers fabulous meals, much wine, spirited conversation, and lots of laughter.

She and George traveled the world; her favorite trip was trekking the Milford Track in New Zealand.

For many years, Velta and George spent winters at their home in Tucson where they made many new friends, hiked Sabino Canyon, attended the opera, art shows, the gem show, and of course, entertained.

Velta moved to Tucson fulltime after George’s death in 2021, where she tended her roses and kept up with old friends.

Velta passed away in Tucson November 4, 2025, from complications following a fall; she had constant support from family, close friends, and hospice staff. 

Velta was preceded in death by her husband George, stepdaughter Melissa Anast Paige, father Aleksandrs, mother Beatrise, brothers Valdis, Imants, Maris, and Andrejs, sister-in-law Guna Muiznieks, and too many friends to count. 

She is survived by her “children,” Ade Anast (Tim Wright), Jason Anast (Cleo), and grandchildren Ryan Anast and Melina Anast.

Velta is also survived by two sister-in-laws: Lalita and Marita Muiznieks; three nephews — Viktors (Cynthia), Zintis (John), and Karlis Muiznieks; four nieces — Maira Muiznieks Rieger (Edmund), Sandra Eaves-Ozolins (Andris), Sarma Muiznieks Liepins (Janis), and Nora Muiznieks Steele (Brent); five grandnephews — Julijs and Peteris Liepins (Mili), Paul Muiznieks (Alayna), and Erik and Alexander Rieger (Claire); five grandnieces — Laura and Carolyn Muiznieks and Elisa, Kara, and Krista Steele, all of whom were nurtured generously by their benevolent Tante Velta. 

Velta leaves behind many dear friends in Minocqua and Tucson, and many extended family members in Latvia.

Memorial donations may be made to charity of your choice. We recommend remembering Velta by buying some beautiful flowers for your home, and in the evening raise your glass to the flowers, smile, and remember one of the nicest people who ever walked the earth. 

Funeral services will be private.