Dennis Walter Kempf, age 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024. He was born in Pilot Grove, MO in 1936 to Walter Kempf and Margaret (Brummel) Kempf. He was preceded in death by Mary, his wife of 60 years, and his siblings Rose Drummond, Margaret Parton, Dale Kempf, and Maurice Kempf. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Rick and Linda Kempf (Kansas City, KS), Brad and Kelly Kempf (Shawnee, KS), Jeff and Barb Kempf (Kansas City, KS), siblings Carol Kempf, Dorothy Bailey, Gary Kempf, Cathy Jones, and Cheryl Lynch, seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his companion Jane Henry.
His parents and siblings moved to Kansas City, MO when Dennis was 16 years old. He graduated from Redemptorist Catholic School and joined the Army for two years. He became a carpenter and spent most of his career as a superintendent in commercial construction. Dennis was married to Mary Louise Weibel (B: 1938 – D: 2019), and they had three sons. Dennis and Mary moved the family to McLouth, KS where they bought their first farm and raised their sons. Dennis loved the farm, especially the horses. He enjoyed it when his nieces and nephews visited the farm where he could teach them to ride the horses. He was active with Kiwanis, the local 4-H club, the Boy Scouts, and coaching youth baseball. Wherever there was a need, he was the first to volunteer. Dennis and Mary later moved to Shawnee, KS where they enjoyed retirement, traveling, dancing, and spending time with the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either of the following organizations:
Heartland Therapeutic Riding. Inc.
19655 Antioch Road
Overland Park, KS 66013
htrkc.org
Parkinson's Foundation Heartland Chapter
Attn: Donor Services
200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800
Miami, FL 33131
parkinsons.org/heartland
A visitation for Dennis will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 1086 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Following Mass will be a graveside service at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Parallel Parkway & 126th in Kansas City, Kansas 66109.
