Arnold William Latuska, Jr.- Local 5 Cedar Rapids Police Department

Arnold William Latuska, Jr., 75, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center with family and friends by his side.

A graveside service with military honors will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Arnold was born June 1, 1940 in Worthington, Minnesota to Arnold and Erna (Thietje) Latuska, Sr.  He graduated from Worthington Minnesota 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 and many will remember him working security at Bingo at St. Pat’s, St. Lude’s, Towne House, Marion Bingo, and Hawkeye Downs.

During his retirement he worked as a driver at DPS (Dental Prosthetic Services) from 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 Missouri; Deanna (Jim) Carnahan of Cedar Rapids; and Darren Arnold Latuska of Cedar Rapids.  His grandchildren are: Justin Carnahan (fiancée Kelsey), Stacy Carnahan (fiancé Zach), both of Cedar Rapids; Drew Schrader (Samantha) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Alyssa Schrader of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

He is also survived by brothers Albert (Tanny) Latuska of Ames, Iowa 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, playing Bingo, and 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 Physcians, 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.