Coon Rapids - Leonard James Emmen, of Coon Rapids, was born on June 21, 1930, in Clara City, Minn., to Ulfert and Grace Emmen. He passed into Heaven on Nov. 30, 2025, after a year at Suite Living Assisted Living in Spring Lake Park. He is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Muriel, and his brothers John and Dennis, and sister Jeanette. He is survived by children Ruth Denney Wood, Mary Emmen, and David Emmen; daughter-in-law Kelly Emmen, sons-in-law David Denney, Randy Wood and Kevin Gilbertson; grandchildren Meredith Denney, Laurel Denney, Danna Gilbertson, Carlyn Stangle, and Madeline Gilbertson; and his first great-grandchild, Noelle, who is due in January.

After graduating from Clara City High School in 1948, he worked various jobs until joining the U.S. Army in October 1950. Stationed in Germany, he served as a cryptographer during the Korean Conflict. Sgt. Emmen was honorably discharged in September 1953. He married Muriel Grace Peters on Oct. 4, 1957. They lived in Chicago and New York City while he attended Dunwoody Institute, where he learned the craft of maintaining Linotype printing machinery. He spent the next 40 years working at daily newspapers and print houses, retiring from the Minneapolis Star Tribune in 1997.

After getting the kids out of the house, he and Muriel bought a small condominium in Florida and joined the annual migration of Minnesotans headed south. He continued making the trip after Muriel died, sometimes sleeping in rest areas — until his daughters intervened and took over driving and finding accommodations.

He delighted in his grandkids, teaching them to fish — laughing while holding the fish in photos when they weren't about to touch the things — watching endless repeats of the "Land Before Time" movies, and dispensing snacks, always with plenty of room on his lap.

He was active in state and national hunting and archery organizations. President of Rapids Archers for many years, he helped rebuild the club and its reputation as a premier tournament host. He made the trek to western Colorado to hunt elk often enough that his outfitter offered him a job, which he declined. He built a thriving bowstring business out of his garage, with customers in Europe and South America, as well as custom bowyers in the United States.

The funeral service will be Friday, Dec. 12, at noon at Presbyterian Church of the Master, 789 Northdale Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids. Visitation at the church begins at 11 a.m., with lunch afterward.

Memorials preferred to Minnesota Veterans Outdoors www.mnvetsoutdoors.org

Arrangements by

Gearhart Funeral Home 763-755-6300