Carol Ann Kempke, 80, of Hutchinson, passed away Dec.31, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Carol was born April 11, 1940, in Lyons, the daughter of Victor Delbert and Beulah Mae (Bennett) Frohreich.
Carol graduated from Holyrood High School in 1957 and Hutchinson Business College in 1959. She worked at numerous financial institutions throughout her life, including many years at Lyons Savings and Loan in Lyons. Carol spent her entire life dedicated to her family, her church and her friends. Every gathering, church dinner or event, had Carol’s special touch, and family get-togethers were always showered in food, love and kindness coming from her heart. Also, she was a true servant of God as she dedicated her life to serving others continually, from the Soup Kitchen, to LWML retreats, to the sick and the poor. Even with the constant pain and suffering she endured over the past few years, she continued her calling of service to others. In the end, God took her home and took away her pain.
Carol was a superior Bridge player and excelled to the Grandmaster level. She loved going out to eat, entertaining, playing cards with friends, or just taking a drive with Wayne to share an ice cream cone (vanilla, of course). Carol was a master cook, holiday decorator, wrap specialist, collector of anything ‘holiday’ just to tease Wayne, but mostly she was the greatest wife, Mom, Grandma, sister, cousin and friend that anyone could ask for.
On October 25, 1959, Carol married Wayne George Kempke, in Holyrood. They had known each other since third grade and were married 61 years. He survives.
Also surviving are their two children Terri Curley (Michael), Denver, CO, and Darin Kempke (Sarah) Chicago, IL; five grandchildren, Brandon and Austin Curley, Benjamin Kempke (Brittany) , Seth Kempke, and Madeline Kempke; sister, Barbara Reid, Overland Park; along with other nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th Ave. Hutchinson, with Rev. Quentin Nuttman and Rev. Henry Blickhahn officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Holyrood. COVID precautions are required. The service will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page.
Friends may call from 1-8 p.m., with family present from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church – Kitchen Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.