Kemppainen, Nels Elmer 87, of Britt, MN passed away on August 29 surrounded by family in the St. Michael's Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia, MN. He was born Aug- ust 28, 1925 in Keewatin, MN the son of Finnish immigrants, Nels and Elvi Kemppainen. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School and earned degrees from Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. During his 31-year career as an educator with the Robbinsdale School District, he served as a coach, teacher and school administrator. He retired in 1985 after 13 years as head principal of Robbinsdale Cooper High School. Family was most important to him. He married lifelong partner, Virginia "Ginny" Johnson in Virginia, MN on December 26, 1953. In addition to Ginny, Elmer is survived by sons, Chip (Debbie), Kerry, and Kurt; and grandchildren, Kristine, Erik, Ryan, Nicholas and Anders. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Wayne, and sister, Marion Dale. Elmer was fun loving, caring, out- going, and a true character. He and Ginny cultivated a large social circle with many longtime and special friendships. He was an avid bridge player, a student of history and geography, and traveled to many destinations across the globe, including 4 visits to his beloved Finland. He was extremely proud of his 100% Finnish heritage. Known for his silver tongue, Elmer was sought after as a speaker or master of ceremonies for a variety of public events and private occasions. A gathering time for family and friends will be Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. Celebration of life service in Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials are preferred, and may be directed to Mount Olivet Rolling Acres www.mtolivetrollingacres.org or Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, Development Office, 7200 Rolling Acres Road, PO Box 220, Victoria, MN 55386 Elmer's family wishes to give Special Thanks to the staff at St. Michael's Health and Rehab Center and Essentia Health St. Mary's Hospice in Virginia, MN for their compassionate care. Family services provided by Bauman- Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com
Published in Star Tribune on September 9, 2012
