obituary | Roland “The Left” F. Latzig

Roland Latzig, age 87, of Young America, MN passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2023, surrounded by his family at Cedar Crest Estate, in Silver Lake, MN.

Funeral service is 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church (101 SE 2nd Ave) in Norwood Young America with Rev. Josh Bernau and Rev. Josh Hoffman officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday one hour prior to the service. A prayer mass will be held on Monday evening at 7 p.m. Buried in the church cemetery.

Roland “Lefty” Frank Latzig was born on August 12, 1936 in his home town of Camden. He is the second youngest of nine children born to Paul and Margaret (Kohler) Latzig. He was baptized on September 13, 1936 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in New Germany by Pastor Theo Rolfe. He affirmed his faith in Christ on March 18, 1951 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Fotenhauer.

Lefty graduated from Central High School in 1955. In his high school years, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After graduation, he worked for Lester’s Incorporated, Great Northern Railroad and was a truck driver for Oak Grove Dairy for 42 years. After retiring, he worked for several companies in the area to continue his passion for truck driving. He then took up driving a school truck for Meyer Lutheran High School simply because he loved the work. He knew every road in Minnesota and always had an “easier shortcut.”

On February 12, 1972, Lefty married Carol Lenzen. They shared 51 years of marriage. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jill and John, which doubled their family with children already born to Leslie and Lee.

Lefty has been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norwood Young America since 1957 and was a church mentor for 50 years. He also served his Lord as a steward, trustee, school board member, and drove the church bus. He also enjoyed playing darts on the church team.

In Lefty’s younger years, you could find him on the baseball field playing for the New Germany Dutchmen and the Young America Cardinals. After playing baseball for many years, he moved to the softball field to play with his friends at Bohnen’s Bar. He also enjoyed bowling, bowling, playing bingo, playing the tuba in Sam’s Concertina Band, having morning coffee at a Mid-Town restaurant, and watching Minnesota sports.

But most of all, Lefty loved his family. He made it to every sporting and school event for every grandchild possible. He enjoyed every time his family came to visit. He was truly a family man. We are grateful for the faith he instilled in all of us and the sacrifices he made by sending his children to parochial schools.

Roland “Lefty” is survived by his loving family: his wife, Carol; daughter Leslie Bauer of Norwood Young America; a son, Lee Latzig of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter and son-in-law Jill and Eric Theisfeld of Norwood Young America; son and daughter-in-law, John and Nona Latzig of New Germany; grandchildren Brittany and Cody Myers, Reed Bauer, Mackenzie Theisfeld (fiancée Colleen Huffman), Mitchell Theisfeld (special friend Aaliyah Bargman), Grayson, Rory, Brantley Latzig; brother and sisters-in-law Martin and Ruth Ann Latzig of Lake Howard, and Leona Latzig of Waconia; brothers and sisters-in-law Leah Bissell of Belle Plaine, Richard Walter of Cologne, Doreen Lenzen of Chaska, Sharon Siegel of Chaska, David and Mary Jo Lenzen of Plymouth; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Lefty was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Margaret Latzig, his stepmother, Selma Latzig, and his sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law, Martha and Hilbert Zerman, Elmer Latzig, Roy and Ellen Latzig, Hildegard and Leland Schwartz. and Harold and Mary Latzig, Marcella and Orlando Gebhardt, and sisters Selma Drew and Norma Klostermeier.

Lefty’s pallbearers are his grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Cedar Crest Estates for the amazing care they provided Lefty during the last few months of his life.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.