Edwin Kemper

Edwin J. Kemper, age 93 of Melrose, died Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 29 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Ken Thielman 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. Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Edwin Joseph Kemper was born July 7, 1916 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Bernard, Sr. and Mary (Stundebeck) Kemper. On October 8, 1940 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Ahrens at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Edwin was a dairy farmer who farmed just outside of Melrose his entire life.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council. Edwin enjoyed reading the paper, watching television, and loved spending time with his dogs.

Survivors include his children, Kathleen (Herman) Klaphake of Sauk Centre, Patty (Buddy) Beier of Paynesville, Darlene (Herb) Imdieke of Meire Grove, Joe (Bonnie) Kemper of Grey Eagle, Joanne (Harvey) Butkowski of Melrose, Jeanne (Leon) Lahr of Mayhew Lake, and Ted (Renee) Kemper of Melrose; 23 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and three step great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leo Kemper of Melrose, Hilda Rademacher of Melrose, Rita Storms of St. Augusta, Arnold Kemper of Melrose, and Martha Gallagher of Faribault.

Edwin was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Kemper on February 3, 2003; parents; brother, Ben Kemper, Jr.; and an infant granddaughter.

Serving as casket bearers will be Matt Butkowski, Bill Klaphake, Michael Beier, Chris Imdieke, Joseph Lahr, and Kari Kemper. Cross bearer will be Amanda Schulte and scripture bearer will be Deb Perkins. Honorary bearers will be members of Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council. Gift bearers will be Kayla Kemper, Angela Beier, and Pam Beatty.