Theresa Rose Kempf

On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, Theresa Kempf, loving wife, selfless mother of five children and memorable grandmother of twelve grandchildren, passed away at the age of 80. Hailing from the industrious and reverent roots of a very small rural town, Theresa confidently took flight to the city at the age of 14 for her high school and college education. She earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and worked at the VA Hospital in Kansas City. She married Gordon, the love of her life, and together they raised three daughters and two sons.

Her endless compassion and empathy, gentle yet firm leadership, and courageous faith flow through her children, grandchildren, and all those who loved her. She did everything in life with such timeless style, grace, and steadfast determination. She led her children with a kindness and quiet protectiveness, yet also let them walk on their own, like a shepherd leads and walks alongside her flock.

Theresa fought to overcome the myriad of challenges stacked against children with Down syndrome by implementing pioneering therapy techniques and advocating for their responsible integration into our communities. Theresa was active in many philanthropic endeavors including the Down Syndrome Guild of KC, Mission Project and Sheltering Tree non-profit organizations that provide housing for adults with disabilities. She tirelessly toiled for her family and home while raising five children to believe in and fight for what is right and just. Theresa’s love of education was of utmost importance to her, and she made great sacrifices to instill the love of learning in her children. She was very active in support of St. Patrick’s Catholic School and Parish, Sunshine Early Education Center, St. Teresa’s Academy, Rockhurst High School, and North Kansas City High School. Always the entrepreneur and hard worker, she owned and operated two Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops with her husband Gordon.

Throughout her life, Theresa cultivated many artful talents. She was a self-taught, skilled seamstress and masterful tailor who created elegant clothing for Gordon and her children, including a 1970’s powder blue three-piece leisure suit with blue topstitching for Gordon, adorable sailor suits for her baby boys, and wedding dresses for her daughters. She skillfully cooked from the harvest of her homegrown garden, and because of the sweet tooth she inherited from her father, she whipped up desserts that were fit for a queen.

We rejoice that Theresa’s soul has ascended peacefully to heaven where she is reunited with her amazing mother and dad, her protective brothers, beloved aunties, uncles and cousins, and of course her dear husband Gordon! Theresa’s humble good will and graceful nature with all people, spunky and mischievous humor, and endless graciousness have been and will continue to be an inspiration. Her patience was eternal. She was love, she was love, she was love. We will so dearly miss her remarkably beautiful soul.

A private memorial service and funeral mass will commence at 12:00pm noon, Saturday January 30, 2021, and will be streamed live from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. At the time of the event, please visit https://www.facebook.com/St-Patrick-Catholic-Church-461466814256959/ for viewing.

Memorials in Theresa’s name can be sent to Sheltering Tree Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska, by visiting https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=9AX6H5LVLCF9E, or can be mailed to: Sheltering Tree, P.O. Box 4990, Omaha, NE 68104, or contact Denise at Sheltering Tree by calling 402-973-0229. Sheltering Tree is a supported and affordable housing community for adults with developmental disabilities, to help them lead independent, productive, and fulfilled lives.

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