Obituary for Richard Latvala | Bauman Family Funeral Homes
- Date Of Birth: November 13, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 22, 2014
- State: Minnesota
1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P
Richard Elias Latvala, age 89 a lifelong resident of Nashwauk passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2014. He was born November 13, 1924 in Nashwauk, the son of Charles W. and Lydia (Aho) Latvala and was a graduate of Nashwauk High School and the University of Minnesota. Richard married Violet Bjellos on June 14, 1952 in the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing. He was involved in the family logging business for over 50 years; was the owner/manager of stadium lanes for five years; and was the owner and president of First National Bank of Keewatin from 1977 to 1987. Richard was a lifelong member of the Nashwauk Lutheran Church, and had over 60 years of membership in the Masonic Fraternity which included the Nashwauk Masonic Lodge #331 AF&AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Hibbing and Duluth where he received the honorary 33rd Degree; the International Peace Garden Lodge, and Past Worthy Patron of the former Nashwauk Order of the Eastern Star Chapter. He was a lifetime member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, and a former member of the Hibbing Elks Lodge and the Keewatin Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge. Richard enjoyed fishing and hunting and embodied the meaning of “SISU”.
Richard is survived by children: Susan (James) Greenup of Sun City Center, Fl, Lynn Lewis of Plymouth, MN, Patricia (Ronald) Roonzani of Pengilly, MN, Peter (Pamela) Latvala of Scottsdale, AZ; siblings: Helen Mitchell of Rochester, MN and Robert (Mary Jane) Latvala of Nashwauk, MN; grandchildren: Jacob (Breanna) Lewis, Miller (Amy) Latvala, Aaron Roonzani, Tamatha (Mark) Engholm, James (Judith) Greenup III; four great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Richard’s family extends their appreciation for the care and friendship provided by Tammie Sumner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Violet in 2006; and siblings: Hans, Edwin, Herbert, Harvey, and Hazel Latvala.
