"My sympathy to Steve and all the rest of the family. I enjoyed many years of friendship with Marcia while she lived in Rochester and missed her when she moved away. Blessings to you all. Sincerely, Ann B Northcutt"
In loving memory of
Marcia Ann Kempers
August 24, 1928 - April 6, 2021
Marcia Ann (Den Herder) Kempers, age 92, went to be with her Lord on April 6, 2021 at Charter House, Rochester, Minnesota.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 24, 1928, to Harmon and Della (Hospers) Den Herder, she grew up in Zeeland, Michigan and graduated from Zeeland High School. She attended Hope College where she was a member of the Sorosis Society and later transferred to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, graduating in 1950. She was a member of Delta, Delta, Delta Sorority at Northwestern. She married Roger D. Kempers, MD on June 17, 1950 at Hope Reformed Church in Holland, MI and taught elementary school in Detroit for several years.
Marcia raised her family in Rochester, Minnesota, where as a member of the First Presbyterian Church she served as a Deacon, Elder and Sunday School teacher, was active in the Cub Scouts as a den mother, was a member of PEO and AAUW and greatly enjoyed volunteering with the Methodist Hospital Auxiliary for 43 years. She was credited with over 6500 hours of service and served as its President from 1984-85.
After moving to Naples, FL in 1995 she continued to be active there in the First Presbyterian Church, including as a women's circle leader for nearly 20 years.
Marcia was a happy, wonderfully compassionate woman with a sunny disposition who particularly loved personal interaction with children. She enjoyed spending summers with friends and family at her summer home on Lake Michigan in Holland, MI where she held fond memories of beautiful sunsets and walking the beaches every year of her life. Her other interests included extensive worldwide travel with her husband, and tennis and golf, which continued to be important to her in her retirement years in Naples, FL.
Marcia is survived by her husband, Roger, daughter, Mary (Dr. Walter) McCarthy, Kenilworth, IL and their children Michael (Maura), Christine (Matt) Ross, and Caroline (Ian) Murphy, a great granddaughter, Poppy Murphy, her son Tom (Kristi) Kempers of Santa Ana, CA and their children Brian Kempers, MD and Leslie Kempers and her son Steven (Jane Lindholm, MD) Kempers, MD of Mahtomedi, MN. She is also survived by her sisters- in-law, Judy Den Herder of Zephyrhills, FL, Joy Fuder of Holland, MI, brother-inlaw, David Kempers, MD of Grand Rapids, MI, sister -in-law and brother-in-law Margery (Ron) Wiegerink of Pittsboro, NC and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Christian Den Herder, sisters-in-law Jane Den Herder Park and Marjorie Kempers and her brother-in-law Verne Fuder.
Due to covid concerns, a private family celebration of Marcia's life will be held at Third Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan on April 24th followed by a burial in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be given in Marcia's memory to the Roger and Marcia Kempers Scholarship Fund, Hope College, PO Box 9000, Holland, MI 49422.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kempers family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Sending our condolences on the loss of a lovely lady. A beautiful life well lived. Mary and Jeanne Gallenberg "
"Roger and family sorry for your loss. It was a great pleasure and honor in taking care of Marcia. I have a lot of fond memories and we shared a lot of laughs. I am happy for her she is at peace now. Prayers.
Sincerely, Diane Wolfe-Plantz "
"Roger and Family, So sorry for your loss. Marcia (Marty) was a very special lady and one of my favorite clients. I always looked so forward to being with her. Even with her disease I could tell that she was a very funny person. We had some good laughs like couple of school girls, I think Roger you used to call us the Crazy girls. Lisa Button Home Instead Senior Care"
"Dear Roger I am sorry to hear of your wife's passing. She truly was an extra ordinary woman. I hope you are still well & healthy and still possess many good memories of Rochester. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Barbara Prokasky Tom's River NJ"