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John P. Kempenich Obituary – 4/19/2014


John Paul Kempenich, age 83, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, April 19, 2014, at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

He was born April 30, 1930, in Cushing, MN, to Anthony and Florence (Simones) Kempenich.

John joined the Navy in 1952, and was enlisted for four years.

He was united in marriage to Patricia Hlad July 3, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN.

John worked as a tool and die maker.

A wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and making rosaries; and he picked up woodworking during his retirement.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Florence Kempenich; brothers Frank, Tony, and Leonard Kempenich; sisters Florence Zimmerman, and Barbara Brown; sister-in-law Helen Kempenich; and brothers-in-law Ed Sobania, Lawrence Sperandio, Leo Zimmerman, and Ed Brown.

He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia; daughters Debra (Tom) Arne, Linda (John) Page, and Laura (Mark) Sandhoefner; son John Kempenich; sisters Lucille Sobania, Genevieve Sperandio, and Mary Kempenich; eight grandchildren, Shannon (Crissa) Cichon, Travis Cichon, Christopher (Amanda) Page, Brian (Janine) Page, Marie (Jon) Klein, Elizabeth Sandhoefner, Rebecca (Jeremy) Read, and Matthew Sandhoefner; and 12 great-grandchildren, Belle, Grace, Abby, Charlie, Tori, Madelyn, Joshua, Gwen, Natalie, Johnny, Jack, and Anders.

Mass of Christian Burial took place Friday, April 25 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Delano, with visitation from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church, prior to Mass. Interment with military honors was in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Delano.

Arrangements were by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.

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