General Information
Full Name: Mary Lou Kemper
Date of Birth: August 10, 1930
Date of Death: November 11, 2012
Mary Lou’s life story
Mary Lou Kemper
Mary Lou Kemper was born on August 10, 1930 in Albany, MN to parents Martin and Ida (Thelen) Weber. She was the oldest of six children and the only girl amongst her siblings. Mary Lou’s childhood years were spent in St. Cloud where she helped operate her parent’s restaurant/gas station. At a young age, Mary Lou became very ill and was expected to die. Her parents placed an “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” picture in their home, which they believed help her through her sickness and eventually led her to lead a full life. The picture now resides in Mary Lou’s house and has always been a symbol of her devout faith in God.
Mary Lou attended and graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School. She furthered her education at St. Cloud School of Nursing at the St. Cloud hospital where she earned her Registered Nurses degree. After 20 years of service, Mary Lou retired from the Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington where she was the head nurse.
In 1954, Mary Lou met a young man named Donald Kemper. After one year of courtship, they were united in marriage on June 18, 1955 at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Cloud. They were blessed with five children, Kim, Todd, Tammy, Kari, and Kip.
In 1979, the worst of all things imaginable happened when her middle child Tammy died suddenly in an auto accident. From this trying time, the family became stronger, and a bond was formed that was never to be broken, as to keep Tammy’s memory alive.
Mary Lou was strong in her faith. She had a prayerful relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. For approximately 15 years, she had her evening spaghetti/rosary nights which were attended by all in her family including her grandchildren, who say that grandma’s faith led them to be a better person. You could always find Mary Lou and her family at 10:30 a. m. Sunday Mass, followed by a family lunch at Hooligans— a weekly tradition.
She loved many things, including entertaining and cooking for family and friends, wintering in Gulf Shores, Alabama as the kids and grand kids would come and go, shopping for a bargain and golfing—just to be sociable.
A gracious and beautiful woman, Mary Lou passed away peacefully in the presence of her family and entered God’s arms in the evening hours of Sunday, November 11, 2012.
Forever loved, Mary Lou will be deeply missed by her husband, Donald; children, Kim (Dave) Stock of Prior lake, Todd (Chris) Kemper of Prior Lake, Kari (Tom) Lubansky of Prior Lake, Kip (Nancy) Kemper of Prior Lake; 14 grandchildren, Tara (Ryan) Thompson, Trudi and Trina Stock, Anthony, Samantha and Haley Kemper, Tasha (fiancé, Andy Craig), Luke, Jayme and Jenifer Lubansky, Lauren, Joe, Ben and Ryan Kemper; one great-grandson, Tait Thompson; brothers, Jerry (Helen) Weber, of Texas, Wayne (Nicki) Weber of Pennsylvania; sister-in-laws, Sally Weber of Plymouth, Genevieve Weber of Waite Park, Jackie Weber of St. Cloud, many special nieces and nephews.
Mary Lou is preceded in death by her daughter, Tammy Kemper; parents, Martin and Ida Weber; brothers, Linus, Norman and Jim Weber.
Mary Lou’s pall bearers will be her grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. and also one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial, all at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Michael. Father Tom Sieg will officiate. Mary Lou will be laid to rest next to her daughter, Tammy at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake.
The Kemper family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake Chapel.
Visitation
When: Friday, Nov. 16th, 4-8 pm
There also will be visitation at the church 1 hour prior to services
Location: Chuch of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Service Information
When: Saturday, Nov. 17th, 10:00 AM
Location: The Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment Information
Location: St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
Address: Prior Lake, MN 55372
