WILLIAM STEVEN KEMPF

William Steven Kempf (“Willie”), beloved husband, father, and uncle, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 at La Verendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. with his wife, Bernice, and sons, John and Michael, at his side.
Willie was born to Martin (Sr.) and Agnes (Melich) Kempf on July 12, 1936 at the McKenzie Hospital in Fort Frances, and was a lifelong Fort Frances resident.
He attended Robert Moore School and graduated from Fort Frances High School. Immediately upon his graduation, he was hired by the Ontario Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company, where he worked in their offices for the next 23 years.
His employment years also took him to the Township of Alberton as Road Superintendent, but his favourite job was as a school bus driver for the Fort Frances-Rainy River Board of Education. He drove the Nestor Falls run for nine years and then town runs until his retirement in June, 2001.
The students he transported remember him as their “favourite bus driver,” and so do many of their parents.
He met Bernice at Plaza Lanes in 1960 and they were married on Sept. 5, 1964, enjoying 52 years of marriage. They built their home on a piece of land in Crozier in 1965 and he resided there with his family for the rest of his days.
He loved that property and tended to it with loving care.
His sons were so very important to him, and he was very vocal about how proud he was of their achievements and successes. Anyone who cared to listen would hear about John and Michael.
Willie was an excellent bowler in his younger years and won several trophies. He also was an avid Chicago Blackhawks’ fan and was able to attend a number of hockey games while visiting John in Chicago.
Keeping his home and yard neat and tidy always gave him great pride. He also liked to travel, which he did with Bernice and his sons, but his best travelling years were after his retirement, when he was able to travel many times to Finland and the United States to visit Michael and John, which he was able to do until just last year.
Willie was a lifelong, active member of the Church of the Lutheran Hour. His faith was very important to him and it sustained him over the years, but particularly in his final ones with the help of his pastor, Jacob Quast.
He is survived by his wife, Bernice (Pasko); sons. John (Chicago, Ill.) and Michael (Helsinki, Finland); sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pasko; and brothers-in-law, Frank (Sandra) Pasko and Henry (Margaret) Pasko.
As well, many nieces and nephews on the Kempf and the Pasko sides of the family, and Marilyn Allen, his Goddaughter, will remember Willie.
He was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Agnes Kempf; brother, Martin, Jr. (Isabelle) and sister, Agnes (Charlie) Hill; mother- and father-in law, John and Anna Pasko; and brother-in-law, Stan Pasko.
When we think of Willie, we will remember him as a kind and gentle man with an easy smile and demeanour.
Cremation has taken place as he wished, and a celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2017, when he will be laid to rest beside his parents.
An announcement will be made as to the date.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Church of the Lutheran Hour, 508 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2C4 or Riverside Health Care Facilities (BiPap Machine), 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7 or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Go in peace and love, good and faithful servant, to your eternal reward.