TULSA, Okla. — Helen Marie Latvala, age 81, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009, in Tulsa, Okla.
She was born on June 17, 1927, in Ashtabula, Ohio, the daughter of Axel and Elli (Orquist) Into.
Helen, at the age of 16, graduated from Harbor High School in 1943. She later attended classes at Kent State University, Ashtabula Branch. She began her career as a legal secretary for Warren and Young in downtown Ashtabula. There she cultivated a love of business law with her work with deeds, wills and trusts. Eventually she moved down Main Avenue to Society Bank and Trust, where she continued in the field as a Trust Officer.
Helen was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and participated in the Women of Bethany. She was also a member and officer of Altrusa, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and the advisory committee of Ashtabula County Vo-Tech.
Helen met Paul A. Latvala, and they were married on July 3, 1948. They had a son, Charles Paul, in 1952. The family enjoyed barbeques and get-togethers with family and friends, traveling the eastern United States (especially educational sites and museums) and playing almost any type of card or board game. Helen had fond memories of her special trip to London, England.
Following Paul’s untimely death in 1979, Helen moved to Tulsa, Okla. in 1981 to be near her family, especially her new grandson, Christopher Paul Latvala and granddaughter, Jessica Marie Latvala. In Tulsa, Helen started a new phase of her life, working with geologists and engineers in the oil and gas industry at Ladd Petroleum. She joined Desk and Derrick and continued her volunteer work with RSVP. Even after retirement, she continued her interest in reading and learning about new subjects and places of interest. She lived her last eight years at Burgundy Place retirement community in Tulsa. There she enjoyed making new friends, participating in regional spelling bees and visits from her two great-grandsons.
Her 80th birthday celebration was another special moment, where friends, nurses and aides marveled at her wedding dress and high school basketball uniform. Her legacy was to instill a desire for education and knowledge in every member of her family.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Axel and Elli; her husband, Paul; brother, William Henry (Bill) Into; and sister, Ellen Into.
She is survived by her son, Charles and his wife, Vicki Latvala of Tulsa, Okla.; grandson, Chris and his wife, Vanessa Latvala of Lafayette, La.; granddaughter, Jessica and her husband, David Hornsby of Stonewall, La.; and great-grandsons, Ethan and Tyler Hornsby.
Graveside Service will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 7th, at Edgewood Cemetery, with the Rev. Karen Tews officiating.
POTTI LAKESIDE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE, 1329 Lake Ave., Ashtabula, is handling arrangements.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
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Helen M. Latvala
Sunday, July 5, 2009
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