David Kemper

David F. "Whitey" Kemper, age 68 of Sauk Centre/Melrose, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2017 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, December 1 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Gabriel Walz officiating and Rev. Marvin Enneking concelebrating. Inurnment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose with military honors provided by the Little Sauk Legion.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at the church in Meire Grove.

David Frances Kemper was born April 19, 1949 in Melrose, Minnesota to Leo and Marjorie (Pesheck) Kemper. He attended St. Boniface Catholic School and graduated from Melrose High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 during the Vietnam Era. He owned and operated Whitey Silo until 1980 when he purchased the family farm from his father. Whitey enjoyed racing, traveling, working in his shop, and most of all, riding his Harley.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose where he served on the building and ground committee. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 417 of Little Sauk.

Survivors include his significant other, Paula Prill of Spicer; sons, Todd Kemper (significant other, Kate Jirsa) of Herman and Thomas (Kathy) Kemper of Fargo; grandchildren, Taylor, Taryn, Austin, and Logan; sisters, Lucille (Walt) Rau of Sauk Rapids, Karen (Bill) Massmann of Melrose, Dorie (Al) Heinen of Champlin, Sharon Kemper of Minneapolis, and Mary Kemper of Hopkins; and brother-in-law, Ken Thull of Long Prairie.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Marge Kemper; and sister, Maggie Thull.

Serving as urn bearer will be Jerome "Buddo" Schmitz. Cross bearer will be Taylor Kemper and scripture bearer will be Taryn Kemper.