Cover photo for Dennis VanKempen's Obituary
Dennis VanKempen Profile Photo
1969 Dennis 2013

Dennis VanKempen

August 20, 1969 — May 29, 2013

Funeral services for Dennis VanKempen of Herman, MN will be held Sunday, June 2, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Morris. Neil Leroux will be officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Sunday. Burial will be a private family service at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Chokio. Military Rites will be provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Dennis Scott VanKempen, son of Charles "Smokey" and Judith (Hauglund) VanKempen, was born August 20, 1969 in Morris, Minnesota. Dennis began his schooling in Morris until his family moved to Chokio, where he completed his education, graduating from Chokio-Alberta High School in 1987. He then attended Willmar Technical School for a short time before entering the Minnesota Army National Guard. Eventually, Dennis made his home in the metro area, where he worked primarily as a chef, but also worked as a dispatcher for a shuttle service. In 2005, Dennis moved to the Herman area and began working as a custodian, first at the Chokio-Alberta School in Alberta and later for Superior Industries in Morris. He continued in that position until deteriorating health preventing him from working.

Dennis was truly "Mr. Mom", and everything he did was for his kids. He also loved to tinker, and was great at fixing just about anything.

Dennis died on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at the West Wind Village in Morris, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. He had lived to reach the age of 43 years.

He is survived by his wife: Jennifer VanKempen; six children: Caleb, Cody, Harley Jo, Carynne Jillian "CJ", Charlotte Anne "Charlie" and Caleigh; his father: Charles "Smokey" VanKempen (Joyce Snell) and his sister: Andrea (Patrick) Volkerding and one niece, Briah. He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy VanKempen and his grandparents: Harry & Darlene Hauglund and Nemo & Irene VanKempen.

Pallbearers for the service are Caleb Hunt, Cody VanKempen, Scott Kysylyczyn, Jeff Giese, Carla Jo Goulette and Jason Brown. Lois Strei will serve as organist for the service, with Maurine Nelson serving as soloist with A.J. Engberg accompanying on guitar.










Funeral Service

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dennis VanKempen, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 22

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree