Arnold Kemper

Arnold J. "Arnie" Kemper, age 80 of Melrose, died peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 26 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Arnold Joseph Kemper was born July 23, 1931 in Melrose, Minnesota to Ben, Sr. and Mary (Stundebeck) Kemper. On January 3, 1959 he married LouAnn Toenies at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. The couple resided in Melrose all their lives.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council.

Survivors include his children, Geri (Steve) Boecker, Greg (Julie) Kemper and Duane (Shelley) Kemper, all of Melrose; grandchildren, Amanda, Devin, Ashley, and Addison Kemper; and sisters; Hilda Rademacher, Rita (Dave) Storms, and Martha Gallagher.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LouAnn Kemper; grandson, Derek Kemper; brothers, Ben, Jr., Edwin, and Leo Kemper.

Serving as casket bearers will be Duane and Shelley Kemper, Greg and Julie Kemper, Geri and Steven Boecker, Ronnie Gieske, and Devin Kemper. Cross bearer will be Amanda Kemper and scripture bearer will be Ashley Kemper. Gift bearers will be Arnie's grandchildren, Amanda, Devin, Ashley, and Addison. Reader will be Nancy Kemper. Honorary bearers will be Bob Kemper, Jerry Rademacher, Vic Sunderman, Jim Gieske, Val Gieske, Elmer Muellner, Marv Kemper, and Butch Nathe.