Maija D. (Culs) Deal, 85, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away suddenly Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at her home in Vandalia, IL, from a heart attack.

There will be no services held at this time. Burial will be at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, will provide funeral arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.

Maija was born April 3, 1940, in the countryside of Lubana, Latvia, the youngest daughter of Alberts Culs & Vera Asare. Their home was destroyed by the advancing Russian army, so they were forced to flee to a displaced persons camp in Libeck, Germany. They then relocated to Tacoma, WA. Maija worked as a registered nurse in Seattle and Yakima, WA, and later for many years as a hospital administrator in Chicago, IL.

She married Wayne L. Deal, the love of her life and he preceded her in death on January 31, 2006. She is also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Erik Culs.  She is survived by her older sister, Lija Keire; nieces and nephews, Mark, Marissa, Mara, Anita, Lilita, David, Paul, and Marissa.