Kempers, Marion J. 1922-2006

KEMPERS, ROZEBOOM, ROETMAN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/20/2014 at 13:56:41

Sioux Center News April 19, 2006

Marion J. Kempers, 83, of Sioux Center, formerly of Hull, died Monday, April 10, at the Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center. Funeral services were Saturday at New Life Reformed Church of Sioux Center at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Carl Boersma officiating. Interment was at Hope Cemetery of Hull.

Kempers was born December 2, 1922, in Sioux Center, to John and Annie (Rozeboom) Kempers. He graduated from Sioux Center High School, attended Northwestern Junior College in Orange City and Central College in Pella. He served with the Marines during World War II serving in the Pacific region and seeing action on Iwo Jima; after his discharge he was employed with the Sioux Center News for three years. He then purchased the Hull Index in 1949, later purchasing the Boyden Reporter. He combined the two papers, calling it the Sioux County Index Reporter, which he operated until selling the business in January of 1970. In addition to publishing the newspaper he did commercial printing such as the Concordia, the paper of the Protestant Reformed Church. He published The Charm and Challenge of Chiapas, Mexico, and also printed many other items.

He served as city administrator of the City of Hull for approximately 18 years, He was a member and served as an officer of the Hull Business and Professional Club. He was the secretary of the Sioux County Communications Commission for approximately 12 years. He served on the Northwest Iowa Landfill Board, represented the Sioux County municipalities on the Regional Planning and Development commission, was a member of the Sioux County Municipal League, serving as secretary-treasurer for many years, and represented the Sioux County municipalities on the executive board. He also served on committees of Hull Christian School.

He married Geneva Roetman on June 27, 1947. When they were both retired they worked for the Tarko Doll Company, assembling and selling porcelain dolls in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, New York, Arizona and California. While residents of Hull, they were members of First Reformed Church. He served as a catechism instructor for many years. After retirement, they moved from Hull to Sioux Center, living in the Carriage House. She died August 21, 1996. After he suffered his first stroke in 1998, he resided at Franken Manor and later moved into the nursing wing in January of 2003.

Survivors include three sons, Larry and his wife Shirley of Scottsdale, Arizona, David of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Jack and his wife, Patti of Indianapolis, Indiana; seven grandchildren; five step grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by siblings Dena Schuiteman, Gerrit, Rev. John R., Dr. Bert, Minnie Mouw, Johanna Beernink, Bernard, Lillian Warntjes and Betty Heneveld.