Karlis M. Liepins

Karlis Margers Liepins of Ranchos de Taos, NM passed away on June 14th 2024 at Taos Health Center in Taos, NM. 

Karlis was born on Sept. 23rd, 1943 in Rija, Latvia, a country in Northern Europe. His parents were Vera Liepins, a pharmacist and Ernest Liepins a soldier in the Latvian army who pre-deceased him in death. 

He is survived by a sister, Ilona Liepins of Ranchos and brother Martin Vietnicks of Waynesville, NC.

The family emigrated to Nebraska (USA) when Karlis was 8 years old because of the unrest in Latvia and lived in Nebraska until he joined the Army. After having served in the Army he moved to California and later he moved to Taos in 1998

Early on, Karlis learned how to properly provide all sorts of cleaning, a skill which also made him a living for a good part of his life.

He was a janitor at Hughes Aircraft, and an independent stockbroker. 

Karlis was looking for a place that he could live a simple life and he found this for himself in Taos and so he stayed. Here in Taos, he provided janitorial services, house cleaning, pet sitting (he adored the 4 leggeds!) and also house sitting.

Karlis continued to live simply, as was his choice. A brand-new vehicle, sharp and fancy clothes, or even a cell phone were unimportant to him. He could and did find happiness in nature, the outdoors, animals, a simple NM road trip (he loved driving to Raton) and painting some images of his beloved local mountains.

Soon after he bought a house, in Taos he joined Four Corners Animal League in 2000 as secretary / treasurer to this day .in addition to his responsibilities as an officer of FCAL, he assisted in transporting animals to safe places, distributing dog and cat food to those people who could not afford the expense of food. He always assisted in the spay neuter programs and other fundraisers and Karlis was involved in so many other activities to do with the wellbeing of dogs and cats in the area.

If you were fortunate enough to have made the acquaintance of Karlis, you would have met and enjoyed a man who had a dry and quirky sense of humor, a man who loved a good meal (he always favored Taos Inn), an interesting conversationalist, and a kind and modest person who would always be available for you if you needed a hand.

He is further survived by a loving and loyal circle of friends who endeavored to be as good to him as he was to them Pennie Herrera Wardlow, Sheila Drake, Norris Romero, Ernest Romero, Margaret Romero, Jason Herrera, Katie Gillus, Amie Johnson, Nora Oest, Laura Oest, Lorraine Oest, Linda Knief, Mary Gugino, Bobbie Strebe, Mary Emery, Judy and David Buck, Holly Johnson, Jane Gerard, Irene Polchies, Beverly Armijo, Holly Howard, Sandy Lindman, Al Chavez

Karlis, you will be missed, May you Rest in Peace.

The family of Karlis Mergers Liepins has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com