Latzke, John Gerhard's Obituary
John Gerhard Latzke, 81, a long-time resident of Broken Arrow Oklahoma, passed from this life on August 30th, 2025 early in the morning. John had been battling cancer. John was born on May 22nd, 1944 to John Gustav Albert Latzke and Elsie Margaret Erma Bredl in Summit, WI in Waukesha county. He attended public school in Oconomowoc, WI, graduating high school in 1962. John attended the University of Wisconsin where he graduated with a bachelor’s in Business Administration in January of 1967. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 17, 1967. John attended basic training in Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas before being stationed in Midwest City, OK at Tinker Air Force base, where he served as an Accounting and Finance Specialist with the 3rd Mobile Command Group. John was honorably discharged in March of 1969. While stationed at Tinker AFB, John met his future wife, Tomi Ruth Mauldin, whom he married on August 2, 1969. They were blessed with 3 children, Chani, John T, and Kathryn Latzke. John G., now living in the Tulsa area, continued his career in accounting and later met his second wife, Froukja “Fran” Leegstra, whom he married on January 29, 1977. While married to Fran, John - through a friend - discovered sailing, which would end up being one of his defining hobbies. John would soon meet his wife of 41 years, Joy Lois Heffern, whom he married on March 8th, 1983. John and Joy lived in Tulsa, OK for many years, but would eventually move to Broken Arrow, where they lived until Joy passed in April of 2024. John worked as a CPA for many years, then became a financial advisor for American Express (later Ameriprise) Financial Services until his retirement. John was an avid fan of both the University of Wisconsin and Green Bay football teams, and greatly enjoyed watching college football, along with various other sports. John and Joy were very active in their church community at Kirk of The Hills in Tulsa, OK and went on mission trips when time and health allowed. John enjoyed singing in the church choir until he was unable to continue due to health reasons. John and Joy enjoyed sailing, and most of his adult life. John had a sail boat on the ever-windy Oklahoma lakes. Weekends were frequently spent on Lake Fort Gibson, and later Gand Lake, at the yacht club and on the water. He and Joy would often participate in local yacht races, as well as spent time at the lake with their kids and grandkids. John and Joy also enjoyed traveling. They visited the Bahamas (several sailing trips), Hawaii, Western Europe, Israel, Mexico, and many places within the USA. They mainly ended up on warm sandy beaches if they could help it. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Elsie Latzke, his wife, Joy Latzke, and his grandson, Grant Hileman. He is survived by his brothers, Charles Latzke and Robert Latzke, his children, Chani Hileman, John T. Latzke, and Kathi Lee, his grandchildren, Brett Hileman, Emily Hileman, John William Latzke, Kaytee Latzke, Madison Lee, and Kaden Lee, and finally, his great-grandson, Nolan Gerhard Latzke. Although a burial service is to be held for family on Sept 6th 2025, a memorial service will be held at a later date in October in hopes that members of his extended family may attend.
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