Gerald L. Kemp

Gerald Leo Kemp, age 87 of Jessenland Township, (between Arlington and Henderson), died at his home on Sunday, December 27, 2020 surrounded by his family.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Arlington, MN, burial will be in the church cemetery. Due to COVID safety concerns, services will be private.  Monsignor Eugene Lozinski will officiate the services.  

Gerald (Jerry) was born on February 12, 1933 on the Kemp family farm to Leo & Minnie (McNamara) Kemp.  He attended Jessenland Township Country School and Arlington High School where he graduated in 1950.  Following high school, he enlisted as a Corpsman in the United States Navy for four years and served in the Navy Reserves for 16 more years.  He married Virginia “Ginger” Tell at St. Anne’s Church in Minneapolis on December 28, 1957.  The couple moved to the McNamara homestead in Jessenland Township in the fall of 1962 where they raised their 12 children.  He worked for McNamara Contracting for 35 years and retired in 1998.  He enjoyed his time with family and friends; he was an avid horseman, woodworker and fisherman.  He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, (past Grand Knight), a founding member of the Fox Hollow Saddle Club, a member of the High Island Trailblazers snowmobile club, and a very active member of St. Mary’s Church, Arlington, MN.

He is survived by his children; Mike (Jo Ann) Kemp of Sauk Rapids, MN; Cyndi Stifter of Monticello, MN; Mark (Karen) Kemp of Apple Valley, MN; Therese (Bill Cohoe) Kemp of Carver, MN; Kate (Jody) Phillips of Roseville, MN; Margo (Bart Johnson) Kemp Johnson of St. Paul, MN; Geri (Brian) Nipp of Seward, Alaska; Jeff Kemp of St. Cloud, MN; Jason Kemp and fiancé Briana Seidel of Little Canada, MN; Chris (Jessi) Kemp of Minneapolis, MN; and son-in-law, Joe Prinzivalli of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

11 Grandchildren; Abby Kemp, Kenny Kemp, Eric Stifter, Mandi (Tom) Kiesling, Rick (Casondra) Stifter, Tim (fiancé Josie) Kemp, Ben Kemp, Otto Nipp, Leo Nipp, Etta Prinzivalli and Nina Prinzivalli and 4 Great-grandchildren; Oliver and Virginia Kiesling; and Lydia and Grayson Stifter.

Siblings: sister, Muriel O’Neill of Le Sueur, MN and brother, Bill (Thelma) Kemp of Gaylord, MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ginger; son, Tim; and daughter, Nicole.

Memorial donations to St. Arthur’s Council Knights of Columbus preferred.

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