Gail Latcham, 87, of Montezuma passed away Satur-day, Mar. 29, 2014, at the Montezuma Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral services were held Apr. 2 at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial was at the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma Fire Department or the Montezuma City Park.
Gail Clarke Latcham, son of Howard and Annetta Olson Latcham, was born Jan. 18, 1927, in Grinnell. The family moved to Brooklyn where he attended school through his junior year and then transferred to Montezuma to complete his senior year, graduating in 1944. On Apr. 22, 1946, Gail began his life journey with his best friend, Iona Tish. They moved to Sheridan Township where he worked as a farmhand. They soon returned to Montezuma and Gail worked for the Poweshiek County Road Department. Drawn back to his farm roots, Gail, Iona, and family moved to the family farmstead east of Montezuma in 1958 where they continued to live for 31 years. In 1989, they moved to town but continued to stay active. He worked for Fulton Furniture, the Montezuma Sale Barn, and spent several years mowing the Montezuma City Park. He had a passion for hard work and was always willing to lend a hand.
Gail created many memories with his children and later grandchildren fishing for bass in Minnesota. Pheasant hunting was a family holiday for the Latchams, and Gail was an active participant for as long as he was able. In his later years, he enjoyed driving the countryside with Iona. In all of the things that made Gail happy, time with his ever growing family was what truly filled his life with joy. He was a member of Midway Grange and also the Montezuma United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Merle Latcham, and his sister Florence Stanerson.
Left to honor his memory is his wife, Iona of Montezuma; his four sons: Dennis (Vera) Latcham of Montezuma, Michael (Linda) Latcham of Newton, Randy (Sarah) Latcham of Montezuma, and Craig (Kay) Latcham of Montezuma; nine grandchildren: Jared (Nicole) Latcham, Bradley Latcham, Mathew (Sarah) Latcham, Brent (Ginger) Latcham, Curtis (Amanda) Latcham, Kyle (Jerica) Latcham, Corey (Jen Hawkins) Latcham, Chad (Rachel) Latcham, and Courtney (D.J.) Sutfin; 13 great-grandchildren; his brother, Lyle "John" (Dorothy) Latcham of Grinnell; nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.
