Kathleen Tempel

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 14, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot with Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Thursday. Burial will follow in the Wilmot City Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Alan McFarlane, Dana McFarlane, Rick Ammann, Danny Marko, John Paul Marko, and Denny Davies. Honorary bearers include the Senior Citizen Kitchen Band and the Morning Coffee Group.

Kathleen Mae Tempel was born on October 2, 1921, on the family farm in Roberts County, SD to Joseph and Emma (Lipka) Kirkup. She attended school in Wilmot, graduating from Wilmot High School with the class of 1939. On September 22, 1946, Kathleen was united in marriage to William Tempel by Rev. Lewis at the Sisseton Presbyterian Church. To this union, two daughters were born.

After marriage, Kathleen worked at various establishments in including Houghton Red Owl for two years, Ruth’s Café for two years, Fairway for five years, and Gambles for two years. She then spent several years driving a gravel truck and keeping the books for William before she began to work at Enterprise. From 1969-1997, Kathleen worked at the Wilmot Care Center in the laundry department. She then worked at Jean’s Bridal doing alterations until 2002, when she retired at the age of 80.

Kathleen lived on the family farm west of Wilmot for the majority of her life. In 1996, Kathleen moved to town. William died in 1997, but Kathleen remained in Wilmot until 2009 when she entered the nursing home.

Kathleen enjoyed going to Wilmot Senior Citizens, playing in the Senior Citizen Kitchen Band, attending homemakers group, and playing cards. She was skilled at sewing and loved sharing that gift by sewing for other people. Above all, Kathleen adored spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kathleen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmot, the Ladies’ Aid, Presbyterian Women, and spent several years singing with the church choir.

Kathleen died on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, MN, having reached the age of 93.

Left to cherish Kathleen’s memory are her daughters: Alana (Roger) Budke of Wheaton, MN; and Janet Ziemer of Wheaton, MN (Dave Chan of Alexandria, MN); grandchildren: Karen (Darren) Pauli of Phoenix, AZ; Will Budke of Grand Forks, ND; and Katherine Budke of Moorhead, MN; great-grandchildren: Jadyn Pauli and Ziara Pauli; brother-in-law, Jack (Judy) Marko of Pelican Rapids, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, William; sisters: Maxine Marko; Muriel McFarlane; and Marlys Susa; and nephews: Larry Marko and Tim McFarlane.