Wilbur Latham

Wilbur Edward Latham died peacefully at home on May 15, 2026, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.

A Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN.  A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN and one hour prior to the service at church.

Wilbur was born on December 3, 1939, in Flandreau, South Dakota, to Benjamin and Mary Marjorie (Headrick) Latham. He was baptized on April 24, 1942, and confirmed in his faith on June 9, 1947, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau. He graduated from Elkton South Dakota High School in 1958, where he met his high school sweetheart, Virginia Ann (Pape).

Wilbur proudly served in the United States Army in Germany before returning home to marry Virginia on August 31, 1962, in Lake Benton, Minnesota.

After getting married, they began to build their life and grow their family in Elkton, South Dakota. Wilbur later attended Pipestone Technical Vocational School, graduating in 1968 with a degree in auto mechanics. The family moved to Appleton following his graduation, then later to Pipestone, where Wilbur began teaching auto mechanics before eventually settling in Litchfield.

Wilbur taught at Longfellow Vocational for several years before spending more than two decades at Wright County Vocational. Instead of embracing the retired life, he kept busy as a caretaker for a townhome development and often drove vehicles for various local car dealerships.

Wilbur enjoyed spending time in his own garage, or with his son in his. He had a perfectly manicured lawn, loved a good western novel, playing a hand of cards, and taking the occasional turn around the dance floor with his girls. His sense of humor was unparalleled, and he had a laugh that matched. More than anything, though, he loved to be with his family.

His grandchildren will fondly remember his many “valuable” life lessons, like, “it’ll be better before you’re married,” or “righty tighty, lefty loosey, and for solving their car troubles simply by suggesting “turning up the radio.” His great-grandchildren especially loved rides on the lawn tractor, helping in the garden, and going on whatever adventures they could find with grandpa by their side.

Wilbur is survived by his loving wife, Virginia; his children, Lorelei Latham, Brad (Shelly) Latham, Melissa (Troy) Granlund, and son-in-law Kelly Hedtke; seven grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren: Kaylahna “Samantha” (Kasey) Johnsrud and his children Kamrin (daughter Melody), Kyleah and Kandin; Bailee (Josh) Shoutz, and their children Emmersin, Easton, and Everett; RaeAnna (Jacob) Dehning and her children Hunter, Kendalynn, Jax, and Lincoln; Zacharee (Shelby) Hedtke and their children Saylor and Beckham; December (Casey) Twardy and their children Jayci, Kayli, and Brooks; Hannah (Brandon) Anders and their daughter Kylie; and Brandi (Cyler) Granlund and her daughter Alaia. He is also survived by his sister, Darlene Dokken and sister-in-law, Phyllis Latham.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Suzanne Hedtke; daughter-in-law, Tammy Latham; grandchildren Bradley Ryan, Theresa, Annabeth, and Spencer Latham; brothers Dwaine and Robert Latham; brothers-in-law Dennis “Shorty” Dokken and Vernon Ploeger; and sister-in-law Lorine Ploeger.

Wilbur is now resting peacefully “In His Care.”