Treva Rose Emmen

The funeral service will be live streamed at: https://www.ourlivingwater.org/trevaemmen.html

Treva Rose Emmen (Boening) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on September 12, 2026.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 21, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be at St. Clara's Catholic Cemetery in Clara City. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Like the celebrated female singers of her time, "Treva the Diva" drew people in with her quick wit and playful personality. Treva was born on March 1, 1935, in Big Stone City, SD. The youngest of seven children, she grew up watching her beloved father care for the sick in their family’s in-home clinic. From a young age, Treva learned the importance of caring for others and continuously demonstrated that kindness and selflessness throughout her 91 years of life.

On January 14, 1956, Treva married Marlyn "Mickey" Emmen. Together they raised five children in Clara City after they moved from Brooklyn Center in 1971. The Emmen kids - Michael, Teresa, Tamara, Tracy and Mark - kept the household alive with friends and neighbors, who all loved Treva's baked treats and from-scratch cooking. In 1980, Treva and Mickey opened "Mickey's" restaurant in Raymond, MN. “People drove all the way from the Twin Cities just for my homemade salad bar!” she’d often say with a boastful tone and wink of the eye. Years later, she brought her work ethic to Willmar’s Target store, where she finally retired at the age of 79. When asked why she stayed working there for so many years, she replied, “I like working with the kids – it keeps me young! And I love the color red, of course.”

Treva’s youthful joy came from all the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. From playing dolls and babysitting, to prom processionals and cheering in the bleachers, Treva was the greatest playmate, coach and cheerleader. Her love and support came through in all the big and small ways, and she loved everyone for exactly who they are.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlyn Emmen, her son Michael Emmen, grandchildren Matthew Sobieck and Jennifer Boonstra, parents Carl and Delia Boening, siblings Carl Boening, Jr., Hubert Boening, James Boening, Helen Bambenek and Delia Peterson.

She is survived by her children Teresa Emmen, Tamara Rambow, Tracy Boonstra (Alan) and Mark Emmen; her sister Dorothy Peterson; grandchildren Samantha (Mark) Heitke, Adam Rambow, Jake (Emma) Sobieck, Derek Rambow, Jordan (Catherine) Boonstra, Brooke Rambow, Hailey (Jonathan) Lamkin, Alexandra (Nathanial) Swoyer; and her great grandchildren Walt and Graham Heitke, Rush Lamkin and Sunny Jo Sobieck.

To honor her joyous personality, please wear colorful attire and/or the color red.