1926
Donald
2012
Donald Kemp
March 14, 1926 — April 24, 2012
Donald L. Kemp, 86, of Willmar, died Tuesday morning, April 24, at Glen Oaks Care Center in New London.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Warroad at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service.
Donald Leon Kemp was born March 14, 1926, in Keno, Oregon, the son of George and Edith (Marshall) Rhodes. He was raised by Walter and Edith Kemp in Sutter, California and graduated from Sutter High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with the SeaBees in Guam during World War II. Following his discharge he attended Junior College in California. On November 18, 1950, he married Mildred Green and they made their home in Sutter. In 1954, they moved to Warroad, where he farmed a few years. He then attended Bemidji State University and graduated with a degree in physical education in 1960 and later obtained his master's degree. He coached and taught school in LaPorte and later worked as a counselor in Red Lake, Staples and Cloquet. While in Cloquet, he also worked part time at KFC and became interested in owning a KFC franchise. In 1972, he purchased the KFC in Staples and in 1980, purchased the KFC in Willmar. In 1982, he sold the Staples KFC and moved to Willmar. Donald retired in 1990 and moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas, before returning to Willmar in 2007.
Donald enjoyed golfing, woodworking, intarsia, and was an avid sports fan. He was an active member of the American Legion in Arkansas and was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar.
He is survived by two sons: David Kemp of Willmar and Gary (and Caroyle) Kemp of New Mexico; three daughters: Karen Kemp, Brenda (and Ron) Weishalla and Kristi Malvin, all of Willmar; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Adona Chesney and Emma Ann Cardoza, both of California; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather: Walter Kemp; his wife: Mildred in 2007; and two brothers-in-law: Carson Chesney and Don Cardoza.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Warroad at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 26, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service.
Donald Leon Kemp was born March 14, 1926, in Keno, Oregon, the son of George and Edith (Marshall) Rhodes. He was raised by Walter and Edith Kemp in Sutter, California and graduated from Sutter High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with the SeaBees in Guam during World War II. Following his discharge he attended Junior College in California. On November 18, 1950, he married Mildred Green and they made their home in Sutter. In 1954, they moved to Warroad, where he farmed a few years. He then attended Bemidji State University and graduated with a degree in physical education in 1960 and later obtained his master's degree. He coached and taught school in LaPorte and later worked as a counselor in Red Lake, Staples and Cloquet. While in Cloquet, he also worked part time at KFC and became interested in owning a KFC franchise. In 1972, he purchased the KFC in Staples and in 1980, purchased the KFC in Willmar. In 1982, he sold the Staples KFC and moved to Willmar. Donald retired in 1990 and moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas, before returning to Willmar in 2007.
Donald enjoyed golfing, woodworking, intarsia, and was an avid sports fan. He was an active member of the American Legion in Arkansas and was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar.
He is survived by two sons: David Kemp of Willmar and Gary (and Caroyle) Kemp of New Mexico; three daughters: Karen Kemp, Brenda (and Ron) Weishalla and Kristi Malvin, all of Willmar; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Adona Chesney and Emma Ann Cardoza, both of California; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather: Walter Kemp; his wife: Mildred in 2007; and two brothers-in-law: Carson Chesney and Don Cardoza.
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