Biruta Kearns died August 2, 2026 at Mountain Plaza Memory Care in Casper, Wyoming from complications likely related to Alzheimer’s Disease.

She will be remembered by those who knew her as a great storyteller, a lover of nature, and a keenly observant and empathetic woman, with an innate sense of others’ motivations and behavior. Nothing got past her. Her children swore she had eyes in the back of her head. She had a passion for writing prose and poetry, she played the piano, and she encouraged creativity and exploration wherever she went. She was a staunch proponent of education and a patron of the arts. Biruta touched many lives through her work as a teacher. She will be greatly missed.

Biruta was born on January 1, 1940 in Liepāja, Latvia shortly before Latvia’s occupation by the Soviet Union during World War II, a time known as Baigais Gads, or the Year of Horror. In 1941 Nazi Germany invaded, murdering tens of thousands. In 1944 the Soviets recaptured much of Latvia and Biruta’s family fled by ship with the retreating Germans. Her uncle, Oskar, stayed behind, was arrested, and sent to a gulag in Siberia. They spent the remainder of the war in German displaced persons camps. As a young child, Biruta witnessed the firebombing of Dresden at a distance as a passenger on an escaping train.

In 1950 her family was sponsored by the Lutheran church to immigrate to the United States and work on a farm in Hicksville, Ohio. Eventually her father was able to find better paying work at an automotive assembly plant in Defiance, Ohio where they purchased a 20 acre farm. Biruta quickly learned English and embraced the American lifestyle to the disappointment of her parents, who continued to follow the traditions of their homeland. The principal at Defiance High School noted her sharp intellect and found her a scholarship at the Ohio State University upon her graduation in 1958.

At university she studied foreign relations and dreamt of becoming a reporter in a distant, exotic land, or an attache to a diplomat. However, her dreams were interrupted by a handsome, athletic young man who asked to listen to a record at the library music lounge where she worked. They eloped after graduating and were married by a Justice of the peace on June 13, 1961. The two moved to California to start their family and Biruta continued her education, earning a Master’s degree in history from the University of California, Riverside, and became a certified teacher.

Her husband Jack worked in the energy industry. She followed him wherever he landed his next job: New Mexico, Pakistan, Washington State, Utah, Colorado, and finally Wyoming. Her teaching certification came in handy as she could always find work wherever they lived. In Casper, she taught geography at CY Junior High and helped the homeless get their general education degrees through Casper College. For this work she was recognized by the City of Casper. Mayor Ed Opella proclaimed Tuesday, November 21, 1995 as BIRUTA KEARNS DAY. After she had forgotten much of her past, she was rather amused at seeing the certificate but still appreciated the recognition.

Biruta is survived by her son, Gregory (Laura) Kearns of Casper, Daughter, Susan (River) Gibeaut of Cannon Beach, Oregon, Grandsons, Jai Kamhout-Kearns of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Asher Wiseman of Tallahassee, Florida, and Zackery Kearns of Austin, Texas. She is preceded in death by her husband John J Kearns, her parents Alise and Augusts Zarins, son Edward Kearns and brothers Janis (John) Zarins and Andris (Andy) Zarins.

The family would like to thank the people of Cornerstone Caregiving, Mountain Plaza Assisted Living & Memory Care, and Enhabit Hospice for providing care and comfort to Biruta in her last year.

No services are planned.