Astrida “Astrid” Pretz, 90, of Orange, Texas passed away peacefully with her children at her side on June 29, 2020.

Born in Daugavpils, Latvia on April 21, 1930 she was the daughter of Waldemar Balodis and Olga (Grins) Balodis. Her family lived in Riga, Latvia during her childhood until 1944 when the Soviet Red Army invaded. The family was forced to flee to Germany and abandon their property and possessions. They settled in Tuttlingen, Germany part of the French occupied zone in a refugee camp where she was able to complete her primary education and later attend the University of Tubingen for 1 ½ years taking medical studies. While attending University she worked as a Secretary and an Interpreter being fluent in five languages.

Her family immigrated to the United States in 1950 in search of a better life as they were unable to safely return to their homeland of Latvia due to the Soviet occupation. The family arrived to the Port of New Orleans via the SS General Haan in June of 1950.

The family acquired immigration sponsorship by the Clyde Alexander family in Trinidad, Texas where they lived and worked on their ranch.

The family later moved to Dallas, Texas where Astrid attended Baylor University in 1951 for a short time. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at the old Parkland Hospital where she became interested in Medical Technology, which became her longtime career. During that time she met her future husband, Earnest C. Pretz, M.D. and they both moved to Orange, Texas in the early 1950’s. She proudly became a U.S. Citizen on December 10, 1957.

Astrid received her certification as a Medical Technologist in November of 1971 and later attended Lamar University in Beaumont and graduated with her B.S. in Medical Technology in 1973. She worked for over 30 years at Orange Memorial Hospital where she was also an instructor for the MLT program. She worked several years at the Park Place Hospital until she retired in 1995.

After retirement Astrid was able to return to her homeland of Latvia on 4 occasions. She enjoyed traveling, listening to classical and opera music, and flower gardening.

Astrid was of Lutheran faith and had previously been a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Orange.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Waldemar and Olga Balodis; her aunt, Ella Zauls; and her cousins, Dzidra Albertsen and Margers J. Grins.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children Lydia Pretz of Orange and Adrian Pretz of Houston, her cousins Maksis Grins of Ohio and Vita Borgs, and her beloved grand doggie Casper.

Cremation is under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southeast Texas Food Bank at 3845 S MLK Jr Pkwy, Beaumont, Texas 77705.