Helen Lucille Kemper, 76 of Montrose, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025, at her home.
She was born May 25, 1948, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Hazel Bernice Skow.
Helen graduated from Central Lee High School in Donnellson.
On April 9, 1967 Helen was united in marriage with Gerold Eugene Kemper at Melrose Methodist Church in Argyle. He survives.
Helen had been employed by Scotts in Fort Madison for over 30 years, until her retirement in 2012.
Helen loved to garden and would work for hours in her flower gardens. She found joy in crafting, baking, and collecting cookbooks, always looking for new recipes to share with family and friends.
Other survivors include one son Mike Kemper of Milan, Illinois; one daughter Lora Hatfield (Kevin) of Carthage, Illinois; two grandsons, Kyle Jorgenson (Liz) who are expecting a little one, and Blake Jorgenson (Andrea), all of Montrose; and two great-grandchildren, Josie and Jase Jorgenson both of Montrose. She is also survived by two step granddaughters, Hillary Hatfield of Wasilla, Arkansas, and Erika Vermillion (Chaise) of Rolla, Missouri; one step-grandson Tyler Hatfield (Skylnn) of Keokuk; eight step-great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Booker, Willow Hatfield and Ember Courtois, all of Keokuk, and Oliver, Jackson, Kendal Hatfield and Blair Vermillion, all of Rolla; one sister Geri Coats of Pennsylvania; one brother Dickie Skow (Vickie); one sister-in-law Louise Skow of Montrose one brother-in-law Ron Kemper (Bev) of Oregon; and Helen's dog, Daisy.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Diane Kemper; four brothers, John Skow, Gerald "Red" Skow, Herman "Butch" Skow and Paul Skow; sister Norm Curtis; mother in-law Mable Kemper; two brothers-in-law, Don Kemper and Jerry Kemper; and sister-in-law Lela Tillotson.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16 at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk. Burial will be in the Argyle Memorial Garden in Argyle.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with family meeting with friends at that time.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
www.vigenmemorialhome.com.Published by Daily Gate from May 13 to May 14, 2025.