Ronald "Ron" Latvala

Munising

Ronald Walfred Latvala, age 89, of Munising, entered eternal life on Tuesday night, December 2nd, at Medilodge of Munising, with his daughter Suzanne holding his hand. He suffered the last 4 years from complications of neuropathy and dementia.

The death of his mother to leukemia at age 6 set him up for a lifetime of long-term grief. He was lost in the shuffle of life and became who he was, a complicated, irascible, exceptionally stoic man that deeply loved his family. If he were your friend, you would know it. If you were not, well, you knew that too. Let’s just say he didn’t turn the world on with his smile, but he had the driest sense of humor we all appreciated.

Ron was born in 1936 in Trenary to Walfred and Esther (Orava) Latvala. After his mother’s death in 1942, he was raised between his grandparents and father’s home with the help of housekeepers. His grandparents had 15 children underfoot, so what is 2 more, with Ron and his 3-year-old sister. By elementary school he moved to Munising when his father remarried. On his first day of school, Jerry Kinnunen wanted to know how to spell “Latvala.” Ron proceeded to tell him and later that day found Jerry painting the name “Latch” on the back of Ron’s bicycle. Ron’s nickname would forever be “Latch,” something he privately hated but never fought against.

Ron was immensely proud to be a member of the 1954 state championship basketball team in Munising. He and Jerry Kinnunen were fondly known as “Splinter” and “Sitter.”

Ron was a 1954 graduate of William G. Mather High School in Munising. He started his employment at Kimberly-Clark in Munising in 1954 and retired in 1992 after 38 years of service. His duties included working in the Finishing Room and ending in Engineering where he was the Painter. His son, Dean, followed him to Kimberly-Clark, and they shared much coveted turf of side-by-side lockers which Dean inherited upon Ron’s retirement. With his wife’s encouragement, he later found enjoyment in woodworking. He made many pieces of furniture for his daughter Suzanne from simple things like large frames to a complicated wine rack with beautiful drawers that he pounded out when he learned how much Pottery Barn was charging for “such a simple piece of wood!”

Ron married his sweetheart, Judith (Campbell) Latvala, in 1958. They proceeded to have 2 children, Dean Michael in 1960 and Suzanne Marie in 1963.

Upon retirement Ron and Judy made frequent trips to the Caribbean, coastal Maine and spent their winters at Orange Blossom Ranch in Zephyrhills, FL where they had many friends. He enjoyed fishing Lake Superior and especially befriending anyone with a boat! He loved to hunt partridge, and his family especially enjoyed it when he went to camp for 10-days, as that meant no regimented mealtime or menus! You see, Ron ruled the roost, and his rules were strict and uncompromising. His capacity to love was large, and his family gave him a wide berth to express it.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Walfred Latvala in 1964 and Esther (Orava) Latvala in 1942, his stepmother Ruth (Stephens) Latvala, his sister, Alice Arlene (Latvala) Clemons, his brothers Robert and Kevin Latvala, his dear wife Judith (Campbell) Latvala in 2008, brothers-in-law Gordon aka Bocco (Helen) Campbell, James (Judith) Campbell, David Campbell, Donald (Teresa) Campbell and Timothy (Bernadine) Campbell.

Surviving him are his son, Dean Michael (Judith) Latvala of Big Shag Lake, Suzanne Marie (Nick) Johnson of Marquette, grandson Dan Rose of Republic, granddaughter Kelly (Kyle) Olson of Maple Grove, MN, and great grandchildren Avyn Olson of Maple Grove, MN, Braden Rose of Marquette, and Rylan Rose of Marquette. Also surviving him are siblings Ken (Darlene) Latvala of Escanaba, David Latvala of Tucson, AZ, Kathy (Jim) Barrow of Escanaba, and Brian (Mary Jo) Latvala of Menominee, sisters-in-law Candace (Robert) Hertzler of Morgantown, PA; Joan Campbell of Manitowoc, WI; Lynn (James) Gariepy of Munising, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is planned for summer 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local food bank.

Please make sure you take a moment and look through the photo gallery below.