This posting is written by Kaie Põhi Latterner, beloved member of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), to let us know of the untimely passing of her cherished husband, Steven Lavalle Latterner, June 22, 2016, and services to honor his memory in July (Florida) and August (Minnesota).
Dear friends and family,
I lost my beloved Steve on June 22, 2016, very suddenly and unexpectedly. For those who have not heard yet, and to update everyone on the memorial services times and places, I’m sending this information.
I am beyond moved and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, hugs, cards, calls, and messages I have received since the passing of my beloved Steve. Please forgive those calls I have not directly answered – I’m still having a great deal of difficulty speaking on the phone. Steve battled a total of five cancers over a 19-1/2 year period more bravely than anyone could have ever expected or anticipated. And he did so while never, ever, ever complaining or feeling sorry for himself. When asked how he was feeling or doing, Steve’s answer was always a firm “I’m fine” no matter how many challenges he was facing at the moment. While having a chemotherapy infusion on June 22nd, he suddenly told me that he felt “really, really weird” and within just a few minutes, we lost him. Some type of catastrophic event, such as a pulmonary embolism or cardiac arrest, took him from us, and even after a long CPR effort, they could not bring him back. I am so devastated over this loss, but I know that he is in heaven with God. We are all thankful that he is no longer suffering.
Steve was known and loved for his positive can-do attitude, his incredible eyes and smile, his gentleness and patience, his generosity and kindness, his clever sense of humor, and most of all his loving and caring ways. He was a hard worker all his life, which he accomplished with the highest level of ethics, morals and honesty. His love and dedication to me and our marriage was beyond anything that could be expressed in mere words.
In lieu of flowers, I have started a foundation to memorialize Steve and his valiant fight against the monster we call cancer: The Steven L. Latterner Memorial Foundation, at Wells Fargo Bank. With monies that we collect and raise for the foundation, I will keep Steve’s legacy alive to help others to be brave and stay as healthy and positive as possible while fighting this horrid disease. Although only in the initial planning phase, likely goals are for the funds to provide inspirational messages and signs in chemotherapy and clinical trial facilities, to provide education and information on the importance of strong patient advocacy, and to supply cancer patients with a wide variety of helpful and motivational products and activities that are so needed during these unbelievably stressful times. We are thinking of calling the foundation “Steve cares…” Any and all ideas and suggestions will be heartwarmingly welcomed. Donations in Steve’s memory can be made out to The Steven L. Latterner Memorial Foundation and mailed to our home address: 241 173rd Avenue East, North Redington Beach, FL 33708. Please contact me via e-mail for further details. You can also make a donation at your local Wells Fargo Bank by asking them to process a donation to a registered Wells Fargo memorial account. (The account was setup by Nakita Vizena at the Redington Shores FL branch.)
There will be two memorial services for Steve: one in Florida and one in Minnesota. The one in Florida will be at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd located at 10891 102nd Avenue North, Seminole, FL (727-391-4644) on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at 2:00 P.M. The memorial in Minnesota will be on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at American Legion Post #398, at 2333 Wilshire Blvd. in Mound MN. His obituary can be read at the funeral home website at http://www.mohnfuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/13726/id/3765507. I am eternally grateful to all of our friends and family who are helping us through this inconceivably difficult and painful time. God bless… Kaie
Florida Estos 