Allen Kemppainen Obituary

Name: Visitation for Allen Kemppainen
Start: 2016-09-02T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-09-02T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Chapel of G.R. Home for Veterans

Allen Kemppainen

Grand Rapids

Allen Kemppainen, aged 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away on August 29, 2016.

Allen is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; children, Greg Kemppainen, Christina (Carl) Jastrzembski and Caroline (Michael) Nagy; grandchildren Stephanie Ponstein, Calvin Darby, Morgan Jastrzembski, Ethan Nagy, Emily Nagy; great granddaughter Jolene Ponstein; siblings Joan (Fred) Thompson, John Kemppainen, Donna (Karl) Dickert, Betty Javoroski, Sandra Weins, Carey Kemppainen and Alane (Jeff) Isaacson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Allen was a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and then served as a chemist with the Michigan State Police for 24 years.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 2 at 11 AM in the Chapel of G.R. Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave NE in Grand Rapids where his family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service. Interment in Ft. Custer National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 6 at 2:30 PM. Contributions in his memory made to your local hospice, Paralyzed Veterans, Alzheimer's research or your local humane society are appreciated.

Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read his life story, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal on Aug. 31, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Allen Kemppainen

3 Entries

Caroline Nagy

September 3, 2016

Thank you all for being here to celebrate my dads life and to support our family.

George Bernard Shaw wrote, "Life isn't about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself."
It is widely known that my mom, Barbara, is an amazingly creative person, but given this perspective, I can say that my dad, also, was an amazingly creative person.

With a passion for education and a penchant for hard work, my dad created a life for himself full of honors, awards, diplomas, and the resulting respect and admiration of others. My dad was the picture of self-discipline and self-control, and he lived the Boy Scout Oath that he so cherished. This oath was the guiding principle throughout his life: "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law, to help others, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

Looking at all of my dads achievements over his life, you can't help but wonder how one person can be destined accomplish so much. From where he is now and looking back where he came from, lead me down a path of reverse engineering, and brought me to this quote, which has been attributed to many people including Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Mahatma Ghandi, and even Margaret Thatcher.

"Watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Watch your words, for they become your actions. Watch your actions, for they become your habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

So, above all else, and in accordance with the Boy Scout oath, God was always number one for my dad. This, as the foundation of his thoughts, with gentle words, and through actions of good deeds, and habits of faithful service, his dogged determination, or SISU if you're Finnish, and all with impeccable character, I know his ultimate destiny is now met, with his Lord and Savior in heaven.

Apostle Paul wrote in Galations, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in our season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." My dad is now reaping the glory that is his in heaven.

Allen Edward Kemppainen, honorable man, humble child of God, and role model of truth. I am proud to call him my dad. Free of his earthly struggle with Alzheimer's, may he now have everlasting peace.

Larry, Kristy & Piper Wellington

September 1, 2016

I remember Al as a strong man with a fine sense of humor. He always had his hair cut in a flat-top style and presented himself with the demeanor of a military officer commanding yet approachable. It wasn't until later in our lives that the opportunity arose to actually sit and talk with him, mainly because in my youth I was rather rambunctious and probably pretty annoying to most adults, however we did converse after I had joined the Navy. I think it was after either Grandpa's or Grandma's funeral, at my Mom's house, we were sitting in her living room and we started talking about the military, his being Army and mine being Navy. We found out that our jobs that we did were very similar and talked at length about the equipment we had at our disposal and how it was used for our services. I talked to him about my job from the enlisted point of view and he described it from the officer side. He provided me with many facts about our mutual gear that I found fascinating being that, at my level of usage, I was not privy to that knowledge. I was very happy that he shared his military career with me and that I had something in common with him. I don't remember how long we talked but it seemed to be quite some time and I still remember our conversation very clearly.
I also remember his sense of humor, specifically one time when we were having a family gathering at Grandma and Grandpa's cottage. I think it was him and grandpa, maybe Greg as well, came back from a walk and somewhere in their travel he had found a Bic lighter. When he got back to the cottage he went into an improvised commercial monologue on how finding that Bic lighter had saved his life while traveling through the treacherous unknown of Deer Lake forestry and Dawe property. Perhaps it wasn't that extensive but I remember laughing quite a bit over it and it staying in my memory to this day.

He will remain in my memory as a great man. My sympathies and best wishes go to the Kemppainen family and friends.

Mary Minor

August 31, 2016

Although I didn't know Allen, I felt the love and fondness emanating as you shared photos, stories, boy scout badges, and memories of him. What a wonderful life he had, with you by his side. Blessings and peace to all of you during this difficult transition.
Much Love,
Mary

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