Erna Elena Miciunas

Erna Miciunas, lovingly referred to by her grandchildren as “Nani,” peacefully passed away on October 24th . Born on May 24th, 1932 in Balskai, Lithuania to Liudvikas Okas and Ana Augaite, Erna came of age in a continent ravaged by war. Orphaned as a child, it was through her own ingenuity and talent for language that she managed to survive and emigrate to Australia in 1948, and eventually to the United States in 1955. There she married Antanas Zalkauskas and began her beautiful family, giving birth to two daughters and a son. Even though the circumstances of her youth did not allow her a formal education, Erna was nothing if not accomplished; she was a talented designer and seamstress, model, cook, and competitive sharpshooter. She instilled in her family her deep-seated value for education, encouraging her children and grandchildren to attend college, a privilege she was not afforded herself. Most importantly, she treated her family, friends, and everyone she encountered with the utmost generosity and respect. Those who knew her remember her hospitality, grace, and subtle sense of humor. After her first husband passed away and her children were making families of their own, she married her dear friend Eugene Miciunas, bringing their two families together. She lived the rest of her 90 years surrounded by the members of this loving family she built, who were her greatest source of happiness and pride.

She is predeceased by her first husband Antanas and her grandson Alec.

She is survived by her husband Eugene, his son Darius (Arlene), her kids Loreta (George), Linda (Fred), and Paul (Dana), her grandchildren Alex (Jessica), Mikhail, Kyle, Georgia, Amber, Alyssa, Lukas, and her great-grandson Julian.

Visitation at Wessels & Wilk Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Funeral Service 5:30 p.m. If you would like to honor her memory you may do so with a contribution to the Pleasant Ridge Foundation,23925 Woodward Ave. Pleasant Ridge, Mi 48069.

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