John Kempfer

John Gilbert Kempfer, age 84 of Ripon, WI, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2014, at Ripon Medical Center.

John was born December 19, 1929, in the Town of Empire, the son of William and Harriet (Gerretson) Kempfer. He was part of a large family and was one of twenty-one children. John was quite the entrepreneur and started his own business when he was just 9 years old. He would clean for the local bakery and receive payment in day old bread which he carried on his wagon to sell to the local neighbors. He returned home with the profit to give to his family which assisted them during the great depression. John was a beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

Survivors include his children, Robert (Beverly) Kempfer of Wild Rose, WI, Dale (Connie) Kempfer of Escondido, CA, Larry (Penny) Kempfer of Mayville, WI, and Debbie (Jeromy Dahlke) Hines of Ripon, WI, and their mother, Lola Johnson; special friend, Mary Ann Hamberger; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; nine brothers and sisters, Joan (Art) Borst, Harriet Thompson, Bev Jaworski, Kathy (Ray) Montag, Ardell (Ralph) Mooney, Dick, Bill, Emil and Dave Kempfer; five half-brothers and sisters. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Kempfer; brothers, Carlton, Robert, Francis and Gerald Kempfer and sister, Rose.

A private family memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home in Ripon. Inurnment will follow at Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, WI. Paul William Osterholm Sr. will officiate service. Following the inurnment the family invites all John's friends and family to Maplecrest, 150 North Douglas St., Ripon, for a time of refreshments and fellowship.

The family would like to send a special thanks to the staff of Fountain View Care Center, Maplecrest and Ripon Medical Center for the wonderful care of John.

Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send on-line condolences.