Arthur Jacob Kempf
1921 ~ 2022
Arthur Jacob Kempf, 101, passed away suddenly on May 22, 2022 while residing at Royal Oak Village in Lacombe, Alta.
Art will be sadly missed by his three daughters, Joyce (Glen) Laughlin of Blackfalds, MaryLou (Ken) Annas of Airdrie, and Diane (Perry) Hunter of Red Deer, and grandchildren Angie Paquette, Aleisha (Aaron) McAfee, Carrie (John) Drews, Christina (Adam) Valdez, Megan Paulsen, and Kelli (Patrick) Spruyt.
Also by great-grandchildren Jozlyn Paquette, Jazmyn Desjarlais, Gavin McAfee, Kelsie McAfee, Angela Valdez and June Lillian Spruyt; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Art was born Feb. 22, 1921 to Jacob and Sarah, at home on the farm near Botha. He was the baby of the family, raised with three brothers and one sister.
He met the love of his life in Lillian Tuck, they married in 1945 and were married for 57 years. Together they were blessed with three daughters, and today, Art has six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Art had been a farmer his entire life. During his working years, he was a very busy man off the farm, as a County councillor for 16 years, member of the School Board for 16 years, along with sitting on the Hospital Board when it was being built.
In 1957 Art went to Seattle, for a Scientific Breeding School to learn about artificial insemination techniques and later, was in up to his armpits as President of the Stettler A.I. Association for nine years.
He has shown prize Holstein cattle, excelled in curling while winning the Grand Challenge Stettler Bonspiel, and had a vested interest in politics, successfully winning all five elections in which he ran.
Art enjoyed travel, visiting Hawaii, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Alaska. He accumulated many miles camping in the R.V, travelling through much of the U.S. and from here to Vancouver Island.
In retirement, he and Lillian moved to Stettler, then Red Deer, Hanna and his final years living in Lacombe.
He maintained his interest in current affairs and politics, while trying for decades to master the art of fishing. He enjoyed watching baseball and hockey on the tube, listening to hymns and old-time music, his favourite song has always been Edelweiss.
At 101 years old, he was predeceased by nearly everybody. Namely his parents of course; his wife Lillian; brothers Kasper (Kay), Edwin (Bernice) and Werner (Margaret); his sister Helen and her husband Sam Gura and a niece, Linda Kempf McDonald.
Well known for his love of storytelling, a quirky sense of humour and endless generosity, he will be sadly missed by many, and remembered by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held at the Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alta. on Thurs. June 2, 2022 at 2 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Red Cross (1305 – 11 Ave. S.W. Floor 2, Calgary, Alta. T2C 9Z9) or to the Stettler Health Services Foundation (Bag 500, Stettler, Alta. T0C 2L0).
Condolences may be sent to the family, please visit www.stettlerfuneralhome.com. Stettler Funeral Home & Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements 403-742-3342.
