Aino Koivastik

Aino Koivastik died suddenly and peacefully at the MeritCare Palliative Care unit in Fargo, North Dakota, on June 13, 2008, at the age of 91. Aino was born in Estonia, Europe, on June 16, 1916 to Marie and Peeter Johanson. She grew up on the family farm near Tartu, Estonia. While attending the University in Tartu and studying law, she met Teodor Koivastik. They were married in April of 1940. The couple lived in Tartu, where Teodor practiced veterinary medicine. Their daughter, Ene, was born in 1943. As the Russians were invading their country late in World War II, the family, along with Aino’s 13 year old nephew, Vambola Raig, fled to Czechoslovakia. After the war ended, they lived in Czechoslovakia for one year and in displaced persons’ camps in Germany for three years before emigrating to the United States in 1949. The family settled in Fargo, where Dr. Koivastik worked as a bacteriologist and microbiologist at the Fargo Clinic and at the City Health Department. Their son, Mart, was born in Fargo in 1953. Aino worked part-time in the St. Luke’s School of Nursing Library. She especially enjoyed people, celebrations, gardening, and handicrafts. In 1963 the Koivastiks moved to Portland, Oregon, where Dr. Koivastik was Chief of Microbiology at the Veterans Administration Hospital and also lectured at the Medical School. Portland has a large and active Estonian community. Aino was proud of her Estonian heritage and enjoyed many close friendships and the cultural activities sponsored by the Estonian Society. She was also proud and honored to be a naturalized citizen and grateful to live in America. In 2002 Aino moved back to Fargo to be closer to her daughter. Aino is survived by her daughter, Ene Vogel and her husband Nicholas of Fargo; her son Mart Koivastik and his wife Katy of Kent, Washington; her grandson, David Vogel of Fargo; and her nephew Vambola Raig of Cleveland, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Peeter; her husband Teodor; her sister Hilda; her brother Arnold; and her grandchildren, Mart Teodor and Maarja Kaarin. Aino’s family was the center of her life. Her kind and caring ways, her warm smile and her graciousness will be lovingly remembered and her presence will be greatly missed. A private memorial service will be held in Portland, Oregon, and Aino will be inurned beside her husband, Teodor, at Sunset Hills Memorial Park.