Eleanor R. Kempcke
October 25, 1922 - March 8, 2016

Eleanor R. Kempcke, age 93, of Fremont; died early Tuesday morning (March 8, 2016) at The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens, Fremont.

Eleanor was born October 25, 1922 in the family home in Nickerson, Nebraska to August and Martha (Lallman) Stuenkel. She was the youngest of their 7 children. She grew up in Nickerson, graduating from Nickerson High School as the class Valedictorian. She came to Fremont with a sister, and attended Midland College.

On April 29, 1951, Eleanor was married to H. Dean Kempcke, and Fremont became their home. Dean became associated with Sampter’s Clothing, where he spent his working career. Eleanor spent 23 years working in the Dodge County Courthouse in the judicial system as an Associate Judge of Dodge County. Some of her duties included performing marriages and working with adoptions. Eleanor has been recognized by the Nebraska Supreme Court for her service.

Eleanor and Dean moved to Omaha in 1988, and Dean commuted to Fremont until he retired. While living in Omaha they were members of Lutheran Church of the Master. In Omaha, Eleanor and Dean volunteered at the Stephens Homeless Center. They were avid bridge players. Later, they moved to New Mexico where they lived for a brief time, before returning to Omaha, and in 2011, they returned to Fremont. In Fremont, they renewed their membership at First Lutheran Church where they had been long time members.

Survivors – 2 daughters – Joan Marquis and husband Rick Orona of Fremont
Ellen and husband Dan Harms of New Albany, Ohio
3 grandchildren – Jordan Marquis, Joshua Harms and his son Graham Harms, Seth and wife
Gabrielle Harms and their daughter Scarlett and son Noah
sister-in-law – Edith Stuenkel of Fremont
sister-in-law - Marilyn Kempcke of Blair

Eleanor was preceded by her husband Dean in December of 2014, by 4 sisters, Vera Nielsen, Alice and Loraine Stuenkel, Esther Benjes, and by 2 brothers Elmer and Harold Stuenkel.

The funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday (March 12th) at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Stephanie Tollefson. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be at the mortuary Saturday morning for an hour before the funeral. Memorials may be directed to the family for distribution.

#2 Printed in the March 10, 2016 Omaha World-Herald

Kempcke, Eleanor R. Age 93 Of Fremont, NE.

Retired Dodge County Associate Judge.

Survived by 2 daughters, Joan Marquis and husband Rick Orona of Fremont, and Ellen and husband Dan Harms of New Albany, OH; 3 grandchildren, Jordan Marquis, Joshua Harms and his son Graham Harms, Seth and wife Gabrielle Harms and their daughter Scarlett and son Noah; sisters-in-law, Edith Stuenkel of Fremont, and Marilyn Kempcke of Blair.

Preceded by husband Dean in December of 2014.

FUNERAL 10am Saturday, Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel, Fremont. Committal in Memorial Cemetery. VISITATION one hour before the funeral on Saturday. Memorials to the family for distribution. LUDVIGSEN MORTUARY 1249 E. 23rd St., Fremont, NE 402-721-4440

~~~Obituaries courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska~~~

Note: photo is on FindaGrave

FindaGrave # 159049247