Dagnija Anderson Powell

     Dagnija Anderson Powell, 83, died February 17, 2023 at North Idaho Hospice House, Hayden, Idaho.
     A cemetery service will be held at the Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens at a later date. Dagnija Powell was born to John Zustnas and Alma Anderson-Zustnas on June 27, 1939, in Jelgava, Latvia. World War 2 had come to Latvia about the time she was born and her family found themselves having to hide in a bomb shelter when she was 5 years old, coming out to a devastated city.

     Dagnia and her family came from Latvia to New York City aboard the Ship General W C Langfitt, arriving August 9, 1950. The family made their way to Tacoma, WA where she attended school through grade 12. She found her way to Spokane, WA for college, attended Whitworth College, and then Deaconess School of Nursing where she received her degree, then continuing at Tacoma General School of Nursing.  She graduated with her nursing degree from the University of Washington in 1968. She soon made her way to Kootenai County and became one of the first three nurses to work in public health with the newly founded Panhandle Health.

    She loved to travel with her friends, making trips to Jerusalem and throughout Isreal and England, Canada and the U.S.  She had a keen interest in Native American culture, visiting reservations across the nation, collecting handmade art, pottery, and woven rugs that she’d found along the way.

     After she retired, she filled her days with volunteering at the Hayden Public Library. She also volunteered at Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church and in the library at Lake City Academy, Coeur d’Alene, ID. While there she won the hearts of staff and students. To say she loved books would be an understatement. She LOVED books and enjoyed helping others to discover the wonders of books, to read, imagine, and learn through them.

     Dagnija never quit studying and learning about all kinds of topics. Over the last several years the Bible became her favorite book to read. She took notes, studied Bible languages, and journaled her way through several Bibles. She said that she discovered a God of grace and kindness and discovered and knew how much He loved her. Dagnija lived the same kind of life of grace and kindness. She truly was one the best friends Jesus could have!  She sleeps in confidence knowing that Jesus will raise her up again on that great day when He returns. Some of her last words were, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
     Dagnija was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Herbert Anderson, sister Rasta Berzajs. Information about another sister, Erika Anderson Powell, is unknown.
     Dagnija is survived by multiple friends whose lives were touched and enriched by their time and friendship with her. We miss her.