Shirley F. Kempke, Ellsworth
Obituary for Shirley F. (Headley) Kempke | Parsons Funeral Home (parsonsfh.com)
August 13, 1935 ~ May 30, 2022 (age 86)
Shirley F. Kempke, 86, passed away Monday, May 30, 2022, in Ellsworth. She was born August 13, 1935, in Carneiro to Lowell and Mary (Sneath) Headley.
Shirley was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County where she graduated from Ellsworth High School.
She married Floyd W. Kempke on November 6, 1955, in Ellsworth where they made their home.
Shirley spent many years as a cook for the Ellsworth County Veterans’ Memorial Hospital then at the Ellsworth Good Samaritan Village before retiring from St. Francis Boys’ Home. She was a member of the Ellsworth First United Methodist Church and the Ellsworth VFW Post 6485 Auxiliary. Shirley was known by family and friends for her delicious cinnamon rolls and fried chicken. She loved spending time in her garden tending her flowers.
Shirley is survived by her children Jerald Kempke (Debi) of Lyons, Janet Dolezal (Gary) of Kanopolis, Judy Lyon (Matt) of Great Bend, and Jimmy Kempke of Ellsworth; grandchildren Michael Kempke (Christy) of Bazine, Steve Kempke (Brian) of Valley Center, Aimee Peterson (Doug) of Sterling, Sara Hammel (Jason) of Salina, Lisa Dolezal of Olathe, Adam Dolezal (Mychel) of Kanopolis, Melissa Vongphakdy (Long) of Lawrence, Andy Schultz (Lynsey) of Ellsworth, and Nikki and Carrie Kempke; great-grandchildren Colby, Ava, and Brady Kempke, Kynlee Peterson, Jailynn, Taylie, and Hayden Hammel, Mykena, Lakyn, and Kase Dolezal, Vincent and Donovan Vongphakdy, and Jazlynn and Owen Schultz.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Floyd, brothers Ronnie and Rance Headley, sister Delores Headley; and great-grandson Chaunchai Vongphakdy.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m., Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will be present 5-7 p.m.
Funeral service: 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2022, at Ellsworth First United Methodist Church with burial following at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Ellsworth First United Methodist Church, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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