Leo Kemper

Leo H. Kemper, age 91 of Melrose, died on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. Rev. Vince Lieser will officiate with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Leo Henry Kemper was born October 10, 1918 in Melrose, Minnesota to Bernard and Mary (Stundebeck) Kemper. He married Marjorie "Marge" Pesheck on October 26, 1943 at Saint John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove, Minnesota. The couple farmed near Melrose until 1982.Leo was a volunteer for many years at St. Mary's School and participated for 20 years in the Adopt-A-Highway program on the road by his farm. He enjoyed woodworking and was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Survivors include six children, Lucy (Walt) Rau of Sauk Rapids, Karen (Bill) Massmann of Melrose, Dave "Whitey" (friend, Paula) Kemper of Melrose, Dorie (Al) Heinen of Champlin, Sharon Kemper of Minneapolis, Mary Kemper of Hopkins; eleven grandchildren, Cindy, Paul, Brian and John Massmann, Todd and Tom Kemper, Erik and Steve Heinen, Becky LaChappelle, Missy Patterson and Mindy Ramirez; 13 great grandchildren, Dakota, Adrian, Emmett, Ryan, Taylor, Taryn, Austin, Logan, Abigail, Brianna, Maxwell, Xavier, and Damian; sisters and brothers, Hilda (Lawrence) Rademacher of Melrose, Rita (David) Storms of Clearwater, Martha Gallagher of Faribault, and Arnie Kemper of Melrose.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marge Kemper on March 14, 2002; daughter, Maggie Thull on June 11, 2010; and brothers, Ben and Edwin Kemper.

Serving as casket bearers were Todd and Tom Kemper, Erik and Steven Heinen, Paul, Brian, and John Massmann. Cross bearer will be Dakota Massmann and scripture bearer will be Cindy Massmann.