Arnold Latuska Jr.

ARNOLD LATUSKA JR.

Cedar Rapids

Arnold William Latuska Jr., 75, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center with family and friends by his side. A graveside service with military honors will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Arnold was born June 1, 1940, in Worthington, Minn., to Arnold and Erna (Thietje) Latuska Sr. He graduated from Worthington, Minn., High School and through the years, was educated in many law enforcement schools and classes. From 1958 to 1960 he was in the Army, stationed in Oahu, Hawaii. Returning from service, he drove a delivery truck for a dry cleaning business in Worthington.

On June 1, 1962, he moved to Monticello, Iowa, and began working in Anamosa at the Iowa State Men's Reformatory as a turnkey and cell house captain until 1965, when he joined the Jones County Sheriff's Department as a deputy. In 1970, he became an officer with the Cedar Rapids Police Department until his retirement in 2000.

While on the police department, he worked many security jobs, especially high school football, basketball and wrestling at Prairie High School. Many also will remember him working security at Bingo at St. Pat's, St. Ludmila's, Towne House, Marion Bingo and Hawkeye Downs.

During his retirement, he worked as a driver at DPS (Dental Prosthetic Services), where he had very recently retired.

He married Nancy Landis in 1963 and they divorced in 1991, although they remained good friends throughout the years. To this union three children were born: Tammy (Lynn) Schrader of Troy, Mo., Deanna (Jim) Carnahan of Cedar Rapids and Darren Arnold Latuska of Cedar Rapids. His grandchildren are Justin Carnahan (fiancee, Kelsey), Stacy Carnahan (fiance, Zach), both of Cedar Rapids; Drew Schrader (Samantha) of Kansas City, Mo., and Alyssa Schrader of Fayetteville, Ark. He also is survived by brothers, Albert (Tanny) Latuska of Ames and Allen Latuska of Nevada; as well as sisters-in-law, Carmen Latuska of California and Pat Latuska of Nevada; dear companion, Linda Miracle; and very special friends, Jerry Chapman and Louis Decker.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brothers, Arvid and Jon Latuska.

The Minnesota Vikings were at the top of his enjoyment list, along with all Hawkeye sports, especially football. He also enjoyed fishing, some hunting and playing Bingo. Being with family and friends was important to him.

Arnold was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Iowa Policeman's Association and the Moose Lodge. In life, Arnold was a giver, and in death he was also; because he was an organ donor, many lives will benefit.

Arnold's family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff in the intensive care unit at Mercy Medical Center for their tender care of Arnold and compassionate treatment of his family and friends. May God bless all of you.

Memorial donations in Arnold's name may be directed to Camp Courageous.

Online condolences may be conveyed at www.cedarmemorial.com.