Maija Wheeler of Milan died on Dec. 22. She was 89.
Wheeler was born on April 20, 1943, to Hugo and Valija Berzins, in Riga, Latvia. Shortly after the end of World War II, she, her mother and grandmother immigrated to the United States and settled in the Poughkeepsie area.
Wheeler graduated from Arlington High School in 1962, then attended Dutchess Community College and Vassar School of Nursing. She served for 36 years as the infection control nurse at Northern Dutchess Hospital, followed by another seven years in the same role at Kingston Hospital.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Stickle; a daughter, Lisa Wheeler; two brothers, Janis Aivar Ronis and Guntis Berzins; a sister, Ruta Ronis; and two granddaughters, Taylor DiCapua and Carly DiCapua. She is also survived by a stepdaughter, Deborah Aldrich, and a stepson, Gary Stickle, as well as by many nieces and nephews. A daughter, Daina Wheeler, died before her.
Visiting hours will be held at Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, on
Dec. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Hudson Valley Nurses Honor Guard will present a nurse
tribute service at 6 p.m. Burial will be private.