Verena F. Kempf, 98, of Ireland, passed away at 8:43 a.m. on Monday, April 18, 2022, in The Waters of Huntingburg Nursing Center.
Verena was born in St. Meinrad, on January 9, 1924, to Odillo and Pauline (Konerding) Vaal. She married Henry C. Kempf on June 7, 1947. He preceded her in death on May 19, 1994.
She was a homemaker, a child care provider, and she and her husband owned a Shaklee Nutritional Business.
Verena previously was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland, and currently a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntingburg. She had also been a member of the St. Ann’s Society, Women of the Moose and the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
Prayer and her faith were a big part of her life, and she loved to pray the rosary. She loved music, reading and her family, as they were everything to her. She was also an avid nutritionist.
Surviving are four children, Norm Kempf of Indianapolis, Leon Kempf of Huntingburg, Harvey (Janet) Kempf of Ft. Myers, FL and Louise “Lou” Merkel of Huntingburg; five grandchildren, Jason Kempf, Lee Kempf, Jeremy Merkel, Janelle Byrd and Jace Merkel; six great-grandchildren, Dylan Kempf, Nolan Byrd, Landon Byrd, Gavin Merkel, Morgan Merkel and Lincoln Byrd; two brothers, Art (Virginia) Vaal of Jasper and Tony (Linda) Vaal of Michigan; three sisters, Irma Kempf of St. Anthony, Annie Lange of Ferdinand and Mary Lee (Sylvester) Luebbehusen of Haubstadt; and one sister-in-law, Viola Vaal of Ferdinand.
Preceding her in death besides her husband were one grandson, Kevin Merkel; one son, Pfc. Dennis Kempf; one son-in-law, Dan Merkel; two brothers, Harold and Walter Vaal; one sister, Delphine “Della” Reutman; and two brothers-in-law, Lawrence Kempf and Alfred Lange.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Verena F. Kempf will be held at 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 25, in St. Mary Catholic Church in Ireland, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.
A visitation will be held at 12 p.m. until the 2 p.m. service time at the church on Monday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.
