Geraldine (Jerrie) Ethel Latzke

In Loving Memory of Jerrie Latzke

March 10, 1937 to August 26, 2026

Jerrie Latzke (Geraldine Ethel Riese) was born on March 10, 1937, in San Diego, California, and grew up in the Point Loma area as the oldest of five children. She was baptized on March 28, 1937, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ocean Beach, San Diego.

Jerrie graduated from Point Loma High School in 1955. Her childhood and teenage years were filled with church, music, and service. She was very active in her church and church school, teaching Sunday School as a teenager, singing in the church choir, and participating in the youth group, then known as the Walther League. Her love for children and her desire to serve others were evident, even in those early years.

In April 1955, Jerrie met David Latzke, a Marine stationed in San Diego. The two were married on June 14, 1957, at Bethany Lutheran Church. Later that year, they moved to Madison, Wisconsin. Jerrie devoted herself to being a loving and dedicated stay-at-home mother. Her family was her joy, and she poured herself into raising and caring for her children during their early years. In her later years, she did the same for her grandchildren.

Jerrie is survived by her husband, David, and her four children: Karen Boehmke (John), Gary Latzke (Patricia), Cindy Evans, and Mike Latzke (Rosa). She is further survived by her grandchildren: Michelle Reaska (Todd), Mike Barr (Deb), Matt Latzke (Jamie), Luke Latzke, Kevin Latzke (Colleen), Ethan Latzke, Allan Evans, Valerie Brill (Alex), Cindy Rivera, and Annelise Rivera. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lois. Surviving are her sisters Cindy and Darlene and her brother Glenn.

Jerrie worked with children as a teacher's assistant for many years. She had a God-given talent for understanding the minds of young children. She had infinite patience and an insight that enabled her to meet children where they were and help them learn and grow. She was able to recognize what a child needed and encourage them to move forward in their learning. The children she worked with were not simply students to her—they were young lives entrusted to her care.

Above all, Jerrie loved her Lord and trusted in Him. Her faith carried her through the many seasons of her life. In 1993, she was diagnosed with and became a long-term survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. With that diagnosis, she spent 66 days in the ICU and a total of 183 days in the hospital. She now rests in the promise she believed in so deeply: that through Jesus Christ, death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your master.” — Matthew 25:23

A Celebration of Life service will be held at:

Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church                                                                                                                                                                       765 E. Chinden Blvd. Meridian, ID 83646

Date: September 15, 2026 Time: 11:00 am

Lunch will be served following the service.