Emily C. Land, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away Sunday evening, April 7, 2013, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Mont., with her great-granddaughter and CNA Kerstie by her side. Emily, born Feb. 16, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minn., as Emily Constance Mayday, originally met her late husband Clarence “Chuck” Land while in first grade. They Married Dec. 26, 1942, just out of high school. Emily’s father said it would never last two years — a loving marriage that lasted more than 68 years. Shortly after, they had their only daughter, Judy, born Oct. 12, 1943.

Emily started working for Douglas Aircraft in NW Minneapolis just after high school. In 1944, Chuck and Emily moved to California to get away from the cold Minneapolis winters where she continued working for Douglas Consolidated Lockheed in the Long Beach Navy shipyard making life belts. She then worked for Triple A Insurance in the claims department for 15 years.

Emily retired and shortly after was given legal custody of her two great-granddaughters, Catherine and Dolores (Lori), as well as physical custody of her grandson, Gary, who was 4 months old. Chuck and Emily raised the children as their own and after Chuck retired, moved them to a small farm in Fern Creek in 1974. In 2000, they downsized their home and property and moved to Coeur d’Alene.

Chuck preceded Emily in death when he passed away May 30, 2011, from renal cancer. He served 20 years in the U.S. Navy then continued to work in the Shipyards in California. He attended the university in Lorenz, Kan. He was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, for two years, served on 13 Navy ships, and received the Purple Heart in 1945 after his ship was struck by a Kamikazi.

Emily was also preceded in death by her daughter, Judy. She is survived by her brother, Henry in Minnesota and sister Patricia of Coeur d’Alene. She has four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at St. Pius X Church, 625 E Haycraft, Coeur d’Alene, with lunch to follow.