Evelyn Rasmina Latham

Evelyn R. (Johansen) Latham, 97, of Alexander, Iowa, passed away peacefully February 18, 2014 at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, Iowa. Evelyn Rasmina Johansen was born December 17, 1916 to John A. and Nora Maren (Ladegaard) Johansen at their home near Latimer, Iowa. She grew up on her family's farm near Latimer. At the age of 14, Evelyn lost her mother, Nora, and quickly shouldered household responsibilities. She graduated from Latimer High School, attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls and then taught in rural Franklin County schools. On June 30, 1938, Evelyn was married to Willard C. Latham of Alexander. They farmed near Alexander and, with considerable toil and risk while raising a young family, started Latham Seed Company in 1947. They participated actively in the life of the community and of Nazareth Lutheran Church of Coulter, where she was baptized and married. Their first child, Carol Jean, died shortly after birth in 1940. Evelyn and Willard raised five sons on the farm and supported each of them in their educational and career pursuits and took great pride in their accomplishments. The fact that they have remained close to her and to each other for these many years gave Evelyn great comfort and pleasure. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Evelyn loved and was interested in other people yet spoke little of herself or her family. She was known to always have coffee and cookies available, whether guests wanted them or not. She had an infectious laugh that endeared her to the many friends and relatives that enjoyed her table. In 1962, she was recognized as an Iowa Master Farm Homemaker and she very much enjoyed the fellowship of that group. Evelyn loved music. For relaxation, she played piano and organ by ear. Upon retirement to Alexander, she and her friends organized the Alexander Kitchen Klatter Band and she arranged over 400 concerts for that band. They would "play for nothing and stop for a buck." Evelyn is survived by her five sons; Willard J. '"Bill" (Linda) Latham, Alexander; Robert J. "Bob" (Sue) Latham, Cedar Rapids; James L. "Jim" (Marcia), Latham, Clear Lake; Donald E. "Don" (Marilyn) Latham, Alexander; and Thomas P. "Tom" (Kathy) Latham, Clive; brother and sister-in-law; Lloyd (Jean) Johansen, Coralville; sister-in-law; Mildred Johansen, Latimer; grandchildren; John (Shannon) Latham, Sheffield; Christopher (Ann) Latham; Des Moines; Jesse (Mary Kuan) Latham, New York, New York; Anne (Brian) Stanchfield, Minnetonka, Minnesota; Paige (Alessandro) Schirone, West Des Moines; Jed (Heather) Latham, Shakopee, Minnesota; Jeremy (Linda) Latham, Mason City; Angela (Anthony) Asmus, Fort Collins, Colorado; Sarah Martin, St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Justin (Lynnae) Latham, Spirit Lake; Jennifer (Brian) Jackson, Grimes; and Jill Latham, Polk City; 21 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Esther (Erickson) Johansen, sister and brother-in law Sylvia Johansen (Joseph) Rodecap, brother Percy Johansen, brother and sister-in-law Wilbur J. (Mary) Latham, her husband of 62 years Willard C. Latham, and daughter Carol Jean Latham. Evelyn and her family much appreciated the care she received from the physicians, nurses and staff of Franklin Country View Nursing Facility, Franklin General Hospital and Hospice of North Iowa in Hampton. Visitation is set for 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 21, at Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. Services will be on Saturday, February 22, at 10:30 am at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Coulter with internment in the Coulter Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be designated to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Coulter.

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Evelyn Rasmina Latham

December 17, 1916 - February 18, 2014