Ilze Beatrise Saprasa Ibrahim, 91, of Aurora, Ohio passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025. She was born in Riga, Latvia on January 23, 1933, to the late Konstanins and Tatjana Saprasa (nee Spunde). Ilze was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ansis Saprasa; and husband, Dr. George W. Ibrahim. Ilze is the loving mother of Zaki Ibrahim (Jill), Andra Ibrahim Duncan (Brian), Lara Ibrahim, and Michael Ibrahim (Jo); cherished grandmother of Nicholas Ibrahim, Zoë Ibrahim, Hayden Duncan, Benjamin Duncan, George Ibrahim, Dino Ibrahim, and Connor Ibrahim; and a host of extended family and dear friends.

Ilze was born in Eastern Europe in the small and beautiful country of Latvia. Ilze’s childhood was disrupted by a Soviet military invasion during World War II, causing Ilze’s family to flee for their lives and live as refugees in Germany.  After World War II, Ilze’s family immigrated to Bismark, North Dakota where her family settled into their new life in the United States. Ilze enrolled in Bismark Community College and then transferred to the University of Minnesota where she met her future husband, George Ibrahim.  Ilze and George moved to Virginia, Minnesota in 1967 where they raised their four children. Ilze was a loving and doting mother who enthusiastically supported her children’s musical interests in playing the piano, violin, and drums. Ilze, George, and her children spent many summers and winters on Lake Vermillion, fishing, boating, water skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, playing badminton and Yahtzee. 

In 1992, Ilze was delighted to return to a free Latvia and reclaim her family home. In later years, she loved to travel coast to coast to spend time with her grandchildren. Ilze will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia, Minnesota.  Burial services will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Latvian Association at alausa.org (then, click “English”).

Family Services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please visit: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.