Dr. Kathy Kemper Stanczyk

Dr. Kathy Stanczyk, 54, of Murray, KY, passed away on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House from a hard-fought battle with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct carcinoma.
Kathy was born to the late Gene and Jeanne Bauer Kemper on April 16, 1971 in Belleville, IL and was of catholic faith.
Dr. Stanczyk lived her life full of compassion, dedication, and love for those around her. A lifelong learner, she earned her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, her master's degree from Eastern Illinois University, and her Ph.D. from Capella University. Her career reflected her passion for helping others. She served as a professor of dietetics at both the University of Tennessee at Martin and Murray State University, where she inspired countless students. Most recently, she worked as a clinical dietician with the Veterans Affairs, where she was devoted to serving those who served our country.
Beyond her professional life, she found joy in the simple blessings of each day. She loved spending time outdoors, relaxing by her pool, and creating through crafting and scrapbooking. She also had a deep affection for animals, always caring for them with gentleness and joy.
Above all, her greatest devotion was to her family. She was a loving wife and mother, and her daughter was her pride and joy. Her family remembers her as a source of unconditional love and support, a role she cherished most deeply. She looked forward with hope to being reunited with her beloved pets, Ramsey and Tracker. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and forever remembered for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Those she lovingly leaves behind include her loving husband of almost 25 years, Dr. Chris Stanczyk of Murray; her daughter and best friend, Katelynn Stanczyk of Murray; three brothers, Mike Kemper (Julie), Gary Kemper (Kim), Danny Kemper, all of Illinois; two sisters, Karen Small (Dave) of Virginia, Kayce Bagwell (Mike) of Illinois. In addition, she leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
A funeral mass is set for 4 pm on Monday, October 13, 2025 at St. Leo Catholic Church, 401 N. 12th Street, Murray, KY 42071.
Her family welcomes visitors from 2 pm until 4 pm at St. Leo Catholic Church.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Murray Calloway Endowment for Healthcare/Anna Mae Owen Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, KY, 42071, Regional Cancer Center/Murray-Calloway County Hospital, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, KY 42071 or Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Herriman, Utah 84096 or
Cholangiocarcinoma.org.
Imes Funeral Home & Crematory, downtown Murray is entrusted with caring for her family.