Jānis Šlesers

Born in 1906 in the family of leaseholders Jānis and Mīle Šleseri in “Tīsi”, Seces pag. Sister Elza (b. 1905).

In 1915, he and his parents fled to Russia, Moscow, where he learns Russian.

After returning to Latvia, he studies at Seces Primary School.

In 1924, the father bought a house in Talsu apr. Cēre pag., “Kalēji”. In 1926, he and his sister Elza were consecrated to Kandavas’ Church.

In 1933 he graduated from the medical school in Munich and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia.

1934-1935 Deputy Sanitary Officer of the Latvian Army.

10.02.1935 promoted to lieutenant doctor and enlisted in the 7th Siguldas Infantry Regiment in active military service.

In 1936 in Riga he married Ieva Kumermane, Ernesta’ daughter (b. 1900) from Sabile.

1937-1938 works as a local district doctor in Viļaka.

In 1937 he was promoted to chief physician-lieutenant in the 7th Siguldas Infantry Regiment.

1939-1941 lives and works in Valmiera.

After Latvia's accession to the USSR, he was enrolled in the SZSA 24th Territorial Rifleman Corps. In June 1941, he was arrested and deported to a place of punishment in Norilsk.

Survived because he was a doctor. Treated both prisoners and locals.

After release on 09.10.1950 works in Norilsk Hospital, ambulance brigade. He meets a Ukrainian nurse Ļubova Larževska (b. 1920) in Norilsk, who is also deported there. The two later marry.

After retiring, buys a house in Ukraine, in Melitopol near the Black Sea, where he and his wife Ļuba spend the rest of their life. Both often visit his sister Elza in Latvia and relatives from Latvia visit the Black Sea coast of Melitopol.

He returns to Latvia only shortly before his death in 1989. Last residence in Cēres pag., "Kalēji". Died in September 1989 at the age of 82.

Buried in Jaunkandava cemetery.

Sources:

• “Family archive”
• “Valdības Vēstnesis” No. 271, 01.12.1933, No. 264, 20.11.1937
• “Latgales Vēstnesis” No. 62, 04.06.1937, No. 141, 13.12.1937
• “Tēvzeme” No. 29, 02.08.1941