Kauko A. Latola

Gathering of friends and family for Kauko Ahti Latola, 97, of Aurora will be 3-5 pm Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Aurora American Legion Post in Aurora. Interment will be in Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Military honors will be accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard. Kauko died Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Duluth. He was born on April 9, 1919 to Antti and Signe (Rivinoja) Latola in Palo. Kauko graduated from the Aurora High School. Following school he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps at Allen Junction. Kauko was drafted in to the US Army serving in New Guinea and Luzon and achieved a rank of Tech 5. Upon completing his military service, Kauko was united in marriage to Vienna Hakala. He co-owned and operated Latola Lumber and was also a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. Kauko was member of the former Moose Lodge, the Aurora American Legion and its last man’s club. He was a lifetime member of the Hoyt Lakes VFW and a member of the Palo Markham Senior Citizens. Survivors include: Two children: Anita (Edward) Alto, and Andy (Gerri Ness) Latola, both of Palo; Four grandchildren: Melissa (Andrew) Alto-Kintigh, Jolene (Matt) Wivinus, Andrea Latola, and Anna Latola; Four great-grandchildren: Finn, Brooke, Siirenity, and Natalie; as well as several nieces and nephews and his step children: Sandy Valentine of Duluth and Linda Spencer of Aurora and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vienna; siblings: Walter, Aimo, Martin, and an infant brother in Finland.