Fern Kempke   (1924-2022)

Funeral service for Fern Kempke, 97, of Ellsworth will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, Kan. Fern passed away Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born Oct. 9, 1924, in Lincoln, Kan., the third daughter of Clifford and Stella (Holman) Howard. 

Fern was a beloved mother and farm wife. She worked outside the home as a nurse’s aide and station attendant with Huff Oil. She enjoyed her family, coffee club friends, quilting with the ladies at the Lutheran Church, playing cards, bowling and bingo. She enjoyed vacationing in Colorado and trips to Texas.

Fern was married to Earl Kempke, March 6, 1943, in Abilene, Kan., and celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Stella; husband Earl; brothers, Kenneth (Sonny) and Bobby; and sisters, Josephine, Betty, Opal, Ila, Bonnie and Helen. 
Survivors include sons, Larry of Lewisville, Texas, David of Ellsworth; daughters-in-law, Cyndi and Alisa; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and sister Shirley Metzger of Prairie Grove, Ark. 

Interment will be at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery, Ellsworth following the service. 

Public visitation will take place 1-8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Society - Ellsworth Village, Ellsworth County Medical Center, or Immanuel Lutheran Church, all c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.