Dorothy Margaret Kemper
October 3, 1914 - February 4, 2003
Dorothy M. Kemper, age 88, of Melrose, died on Monday, February 3, 2003 at the Melrose Area Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February5th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Vincent Lieser will officiate with interment following in the parish cemetery.
Friends may call from 4 to 9p.m. Tuesday and from 8 to 11a.m. Wednesday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Christian Mothers and the St. Elizabeth’s Society will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m.
Dorothy Kemper was born on October 3, 1914 in Getty Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Fred and Maria (Schmiesing) Ahrens. She was united in marriage to Edwin Kemper on October 8, 1940 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. The couple farmed in the Melrose area their married life. Dorothy was employed at Jennie – O Foods in Melrose for 15 years. She enjoyed gardening, watching wildlife and the outdoors. Dorothy was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, St. Elizabeth’s Society and the Christian Mothers.
Survivors include her husband, Edwin Kemper of Melrose; children, Kathleen Klaphake and her husband, Herman of Meire Grove, Patty Beier and her husband, Buddy of Regal, Darlene Imdieke and her husband, Herb of Meire Grove, Joe Kemper and his wife, Bonnie of Big Lake, Joanne Butkowski and her husband, Harvey of Melrose, Jeanne Lahr and her husband, Leon of Sauk Rapids, Ted Kemper and his wife, Renee of Melrose; 23 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; sisters, Walburga Arnzen of Sauk Centre and Rosie Berscheid and her husband, Edward of Sauk Centre.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Maria Ahrens; one infant granddaughter; brothers and sisters, Edwin Ahrens, Sylvester Ahrens, Ferd Ahrens, Marie Berscheid and infant sister, Catherine Ahrens.
Serving as casket bearers will be Patrick Klaphake, Randy Beier, Tony Rademacher, Paul Imdieke, Joe Lahr and Steve Butkowski. Cross bearer will be Julie Maccario and Sue Klaphake will be scripture bearer.
Serving as honorary bearers will be Saint Elizabeth’s Society and the Christian Mothers.
Arrangements are with Patton-Schad Funeral Service of Melrose.