Arlen D. Kempcke, 79 years, of Lyons, passed away Friday, July 8, 2022 at his home in Lyons.
Arlen Dale Kempcke was born July 23, 1942, in Oakland to William and Agnes (Ekstrand) Kempcke. He attended Divide Center country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Lyons High School in 1959 at the age of sixteen. He started helping his father on the farm at the age of five or six, driving the tractor at the age of seven. Being the oldest of four boys, he was his father’s shadow.
Arlen was baptized and confirmed at Divide Center Presbyterian Church as a youth. He later switched his membership to the First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, where he was a very active member, serving several years on the session. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 7998 and participated in the color guard for many area funerals. He belonged to two 4-H clubs, one tractor and one livestock, both while in grade school. He won the tractor driving contest but couldn’t go to State because he was too young, so the runner up got to go.
On Dec. 22, 1963, Arlen and Cindy Ball of Decatur were united in marriage. To this union four children were born: Melanie, Mark, Brian and Paul. Arlen loved life and saw the good in everyone - no one was a stranger. He served in the U.S. Army for two years, part of this time in Germany. Arlen farmed for over forty years and ran a full-service station for sixteen years during this time.
He is preceded in death by his parents; in-law’s, Hiram and Janet Ball; brother, Darrell “P’nuts”; sisters-in-law, Marsha Kempcke and Jeanne Ball; brothers-in-law, Eldie Carlsten and Eddie Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Cindy; daughter, Melanie Kempcke (Brian White) of Lyons; sons, Mark (DeAnne) Kempcke of Lyons, Brian (Sherri) Kempcke and Paul (Londa) Kempcke of Lincoln; eight grandchildren, James Kempcke of Lyons, Steve (Brooke) Young of Elgin, Okla., Ali and Ava Kempcke both of Lincoln, Haley Grabowski of Lincoln, Chelsea (Brett) Hanson of Klamath Falls, Ore., Cole Kempcke and friend, Hailey of Omaha, Kenzie Kempcke of Lincoln; Great Grandson, Axl Young; brothers, Dennis Kempcke and Gene (Wendy) Kempcke of Lincoln; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Paula) Ball of Minn., Dave (Gloria) Ball of Fremont, Don (Jan) Ball of Mo., Janene (Bob) Malzer of Las Vegas, Nev., Libby Carsten of Minn.; Harriet Jones of Omaha; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Lyons.
Visitation, Monday, 5 to 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church
Burial with military honors at Lyons, Cemetery
Memorials directed to the family for future designation.
Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services Lyons. www.pelanfuneralservices.com
