Ervin Pone

Ervin Ilgvars Pone was born in Riga, Latvia on
February 19, 1935.  His parents were Dr John
Janis Pone and his wife Elsa Menek who was a
nurse.  In 1944, the family fled Latvia when the
Russians invaded the country.  They were in a
displaced persons camp in Germany and
immigrated to the US in 1950.  They were
sponsored by the Congregational church in
Adams, Wisconsin but they lived in the house
at 739 Maple Ave in Wild Rose.  The Doctor had
to take his residency over to be able to practice
in the US. His wife worked at the hospital.  The
family moved to Minneapolis.He was naturalized
September 9, 1959 in Minnesota.  Ervin married
Aldona Millers November 28, 1964.  They had a
son Michael.  They divorced in 1986. Erwin died
June 25, 1990 in Minnesota.  He had two brothers:
Gundaris and John. Gundaris  was an accomplished
violinist, composer and director. He won first prize
at the Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards in
1982 for a composition.  Gundaris played lots of
places in the Wild Rose area. He was often driven
by Leon Deering.  John would have been part of
the class of 1955 had they stayed in Wild Rose.