Grace Kempf

Grace Esther (Brukardt) Kempf, age 91, was called to eternal rest on May 17, 2012, at Appleton Healthcare Center. She was born on May 4, 1921, in Wilson, Michigan, the daughter of the late William and Anna (Tagge) Brukardt. She attended Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, with her sister Ann, and taught briefly at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School in Martinette, Wisconsin. She also taught in Hutchinson, Minnesota. On October 3, 1943, Grace married her college sweetheart, Alfred E. Kempf, at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Powers, Michigan, where she had also been baptized and confirmed.

Grace was a longtime and active member of St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, traveling, and getaways at their cabin near Stiles, Wisconsin, with Alfred. She was a volunteer at former Kaukauna Community Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital. She had many hobbies, talents, and gifts and enjoyed playing piano and giving lessons. She was a loving, caring, Christian wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She is survived by her sons: William (Carol) Kempf and James Kempf; daughter, Kathleen (Ernie) Houghton; grandchildren: Britt (David) Conine, Jody (Jon) Metz, Ryan (Jennifer) Kempf, and Matthew Kempf; great-grandchildren: Morgan and Madison Metz, Emily Conine, and Nicholas, Noah, and Connor Kempf. She is also survived by her three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Kempf, Mary Brukardt, and Doris Brukardt; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred (1979), brothers: William, Earle, Allan, George; and sisters: Ruth and Ann.

The Christian Funeral service for Grace will be held May 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, 129 S Mason St., Appleton, Wisconsin; with Reverend Paul Schuler officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the CHURCH from 10:00 AM until the time of service. A private burial will be held at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The family requests that memorials in honor of Grace be sent to St. Matthew Ev. Lutheran Church, Appleton.

The Kempf family extends sincere admiration and thanks to the staff of Appleton Healthcare Center who provided Grace with devoted love and care, and to Heartland Hospice for their support. Thank you to the members of St. Matthew an especially the Ladies Aid for their many visits and thoughtful gifts over the last 6 years.

Revelation 14:13 Blessed are those who die in the Lord.