Coon Rapids – Age 93, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, with family by his side.
Les was born on October 31, 1932, in St. James, Minnesota, to Leslie and Emily Curtis. He graduated from St. James High School before earning a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota. Following two years of Army service in Germany as a company clerk, he completed a two-year printing program at Carnegie Institute of Technology (Carnegie Tech) in Pittsburgh. He then returned to St. James to join his family’s newspaper and commercial printing business, the Plaindealer, before embarking on a 30-year career as an Account Executive in 3M’s printing division.
On June 28, 1959, Les married the love of his life, Martha Banke, in Howard Lake, Minnesota. Together they built a beautiful life filled with faith, family, and love over 67 years of marriage. Family was at the center of Les’s life. He took great joy in encouraging his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, celebrating their accomplishments, and sharing with them his optimism, wisdom, and steadfast faith. Nothing brought him greater joy than being surrounded by those he loved.
October 25, 1997, marked a turning point in Les’s life when he became a born-again Christian after taking the Cover to Cover Bible Survey course at Village Schools of the Bible and committing himself to daily Scripture reading and prayer. On that day, he cited 1 John 5:11–13 and wrote the following note in his Bible: “I plan to keep the faith, spread the good news, and patiently wait for the Heavenly judgement day. I finally, deeply know Jesus Christ and my eternal life is certain by his grace.”
From that day forward, he faithfully lived out that commitment. He modeled what it means to be a follower of Christ. Each morning, he retreated to his home office for Bible study and prayer. He believed deeply in the work of the Holy Spirit to transform and guide those who place their faith in Christ.
Les had an amazing zest for life and greeted each morning with a hearty, “Good morning, world!” He often said he planned to live to be 110. He had a kind word for everyone he met, including one of his favorite compliments: “I like your smile.” He loved playing golf and was a lifelong Minnesota Gopher fan, frequently ending conversations with an enthusiastic, “Go Gophers!”
He is survived by his beloved wife, Martha Curtis; his daughter, Mary “Meg” Schultz (David); his son, David Curtis (Jennifer); his brother, William Curtis; his son-in-law, Roy Wetterstrom (Laura); grandchildren Rebecca Vavilov (Anatoliy), Erik Schultz (Abbie), David Wetterstrom (Katherine), Margaret Wetterstrom, and Autumnfall Curtis; and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Emily Wetterstrom, whose memory remained close to his heart every day.
His family rejoices in the assurance that he is now in the presence of the Savior he loved and faithfully served, and in the promise that they will one day be reunited with him.
A private family memorial service will be held.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leslie, please visit our floral store.
Coon Rapids – Age 93, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, with family by his side.
Les was born on October 31, 1932, in St. James, Minnesota, to Leslie and Emily Curtis. He graduated from St. James High School before earning a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota. Following two years of Army se
Published on July 19, 2026
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Last modified: July 19, 2026
