Len passed away peacefully on February 6, 2021, at the Cumberland Care and Rehab Unit in Cumberland, Wisconsin. He was 88 years young.

Len was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 30, 1932.

He was the youngest child of Catherine M. (Willman) and Alfred Amundson. He was an active athlete in high school, running track and playing on the school football team. After high school, he attended Mankato State University for one year, then served in the U.S. Army for two years. It was during this time he met his wife of 67 wonderful years, Lynara, at a USO dance; and they were married shortly after in Lawton, OK.

Thereafter, Len was shipped to New York with Lyn following behind taking the train. Len then received new orders to return to California in five days. Len and Lyn decided to take a road trip across the U.S. with the following event happening: Len bought a car for $50 that had four flat tires. In the Appalachian Mountains, Pennsylvania the car caught fire because the emergency brake was left on. In Ohio, they were then caught in a snowstorm, and pulled over by police for leaving and entering the city of Cleveland too many times (Lyn was lost). They made it to Eau Claire, Wisconsin before their alternator died. Len's family came from Minneapolis to meet and rescue the newlyweds. Lyn was wearing Len's Army fatigues. 24 hours later, they were on the road again. Somewhere in Nevada were caught in a sand storm causing the windows to be pitted and the chrome to be stripped from the car; making driving at night impossible. When they finally arrived at the base in California, the base guard would not let them in because Len was not to arrive until the following day. This story has been told around the family table many a night.

Len joined 3M in Cumberland and worked as an industrial engineer until his retirement in 1987. In his later years, he was often found playing a hand of bridge with the men's and couple's bridge groups, fishing in Beaver Dam Lake, driving for Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the First Methodist Church, pontooning on Beaver Dam or taking an afternoon nap.

Len is preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Catherine Amundson; sisters: Dorothy and Viola; and brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Lynara; children: Catherine (James) Wilson, Leonard Jr. (Charis), Phillip (Erika); along with four adoring grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be remembered for his kind heart, his love of Franzia Chillable Red (on ice no less), and his ability to always grill a well-done steak.

A service will be held at an undetermined time in the postpandemic future.

Last Update: Feb 11, 2021 4:43 am CST