UPDATE (9/23/2022): There will be a memorial service for Fern Kempke at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 1, 2022 at JH Robbins Memorial Library, in the basement. A luncheon will follow. Please join the family for a service and fellowship.
UPDATE: The funeral services for Fern Kempke have been postponed due to illness. Public visitation will still take place 1-8 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022 at Parsons Funeral Home. A private family graveside will take place at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery. A public memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Fern passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Ellsworth County Medical Center. She was born October 9, 1924, in Lincoln, KS, 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, KS 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, TX, David of Ellsworth; daughters-in-law Cyndi and Alisa; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; and sister Shirley Metzger of Prairie Grove, AR.
Interment will be at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery, Ellsworth following the service.
Public visitation will take place 1-8 p.m., Friday, September 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, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fern (Howard) Kempke, please visit our floral store.