Mavis J. Kempf
Mavis J. Kempf, 79, of Aberdeen, SD, died Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.
Mavis Joy was born to parents Molly and Henry Mueller in Bowdle, SD, on January 23, 1945, her twin Morris shortly after, joining an older sister, Carol. They grew up on the farm outside of Java, a close-knit family who worked, played, and worshipped together. Mavis graduated from Java High School and went on to attend and graduate from Aberdeen School of Commerce.
Mavis worked at News Printing as a secretary and salesperson in 1967 when she met Harold Kempf. They married December 15 that same year. They made their home in Aberdeen, and had two daughters, Karla and Kerry. Mavis was home while the girls were young, and as they were older, led the girls’ Girl Scout troop and was active in PTA.
Mavis returned to work at Dell’s Insurance Company where she worked for several years. She then moved to the Brown County Welfare office, where she remained until she retired.
Mavis was a faithful child of God throughout her life, actively involved in her church choir, Bell Choir, the Social Concerns committee, and helped serve many meals and luncheons as well. Mavis enjoyed bowling, camping and fishing. She enjoyed tending plants, flowers, and vegetables, an interest she inherited from her mother. Mavis enjoyed baking, especially at Christmas, her favorite holiday.
Mavis had the wonderful ability to make anyone feel welcome, becoming a second “mom” to the many friends her girls brought around. She would often run into someone she knew while out of town. Mavis always had a smile on her face. Mavis had a wonderful sense of humor, which her twin Morris shared, resulting in a lifetime of laughter, mischief, and hijinks for the family that will be remembered by all who knew her.
Her proudest accomplishments were her grandchildren. She delighted in every aspect of being a grandmother, and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of her grandchildren’s lives from feeding them giant chocolate hearts way too young to cheering them on at sports and school events.
Grateful for having shared her life include husband Harold, daughters Karla (Kevin) Burkman and Kerry (Leslie) Rawden, grandchildren Rylee, Koleton, Carter, Kalli, Masen, and Skylan, twin brother Morris (Nancy) Mueller and sister Carol (Oscar Fiedler Jr), and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brother William, mother Molly (Nafts) Mueller and father Henry Mueller, father-in-law Matthew Kempf, mother in law Sophie (Kranzler) Kempf, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Irene (Kempf) and Harrison Plummer, and brother-in-law Ernest Kempf.