Obit: Kempf, Jeffrey J. (1956 – 2020)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kempf, Straetz, Writz, Rein, Schreiner, Harding

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 13 Jan 2021

Kempf, Jeffrey J. (18 APR 1956 – 29 DEC 2020)

Jeffrey John Kempf, age 64, reached eternal rest on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Agrace Hospice in Madison, following a cancer diagnosis mid-2020.

He was born, the youngest of seven children, on April 18, 1956, to Frank and Dolores (Straetz) Kempf of Glidden. He was a 1975 graduate of Glidden High School and a 1976 graduate of District One Technical Institute-Eau Claire, with an associate degree in wood techniques and residential construction. On May 23, 1981, he married Karen Writz in Abbotsford.

His career included working as a carpenter at Schraufnagel Lumber & Construction Co., Inc. in Glidden; Wisconsin Indian Development Corporation in Odanah; Niehoff Construction Company in Bartlett, Ill.; and B& K Builders, Inc. in Marshfield. He was co-partner/general contractor of Homestead Builders in Hewitt; president/ general contractor of Hankin Builders, Inc. in Woodstock, Ill.; and president/ general contractor of J& J Builders, Inc. in Woodstock, Ill. He was facility coordinator at Total Administrative Services Corporation in Madison, at the time of his passing.

Jeff had an infectious love for life and handed down his passion for fishing and hunting to his sons. Jeff “Snakey” was the heart of Camp Snakey Potato and his love for deer hunting was evident during the annual hunt where he bonded with his sons, brothers, nephews, niece, cousins and friends with many memories created and some only the “campers” were aware of as “what’s said at the cabin stays at the cabin.” Jeff also carried his love for hunting outside state lines, making his yearly South Dakota pheasant hunting trip since 1984. He was one of God’s finest storytellers, some stories believable and some not so much. Jeff was a true family man and used his carpentry skills to build countless homes for family and friends, most recently building his north woods getaway, Camp Frenzoli. Jeff was a master handyman, with a very creative mind and talented hands. He was a good-hearted man and his genuine kindness will be sorely missed. While we shed tears for his passing, so many memories and stories remain to keep us smiling. As we traverse through life without Jeff, we will let his motto “figure it out” guide us. He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Sun Prairie; two children: Jared (Brianna) Kempf of Crystal Lake, Ill. and Jordan (Megan Schaffter) Kempf of Lake In The Hills, Ill.; three grandchildren: Raegan, Parker and Connor Kempf; his mother, Dolores Kempf, of Glidden; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Daniel and Mary Writz of Abbotsford; one sister, Dolores “Dolly” (Tom) Rein of Marshfield; two brothers: Leonard (Barbara) Kempf of Glidden and Timothy (Sandy) Kempf of Three Lakes; sisters-in law: Karen Kempf of Glidden, Janice Kempf of Glen Ellyn, Ill. and Jeanne (Pat) Schreiner of Marshfield; and brothers-in-law: Dr. Paul (Nina) Writz of Abbotsford and Mike (Nicole Harding) Writz of Monticello; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Kempf; his brothers: Frank “Skip” Kempf and Robert Kempf; and his sister, Wendy Wilson.

A celebration of Jeff’s life will take place at Most Precious Blood Church in Glidden at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chequamegon School District, Business Office, 400 N 9th Street, Park Falls, WI 54552. Please designate for Ice Fishing Club, Trap Shooting Club, or Technical Education Department; Glidden Area Senior Citizen Center, 337 York Road, Glidden, WI 54527; Agrace HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711; or the Turville Bay Radiation Oncology Center, 1104 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53713. Cress Funeral Service 1310 Emerald Terrace Sun Prairie, WI 53590 608-837-9054 Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com.