KEMP. Donald William 1920-2018

KEMP, SHAY, SHUETZ

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 10/6/2018 at 12:20:26

Donald William Kemp

June 5, 1920 - October 5, 2018

Mr. Donald W. Kemp of Waterloo, Iowa passed away at his home Friday, October 5th at age 98 surrounded by his family.

Don was born June 5th 1920, in Washburn, Iowa, son of William and Katherine Shay Kemp.

Don served in the United States Navy as a flight deck crew member on the USS Hornet. He also served on the USS Princeton and was involved in almost every major battle in the South Pacific.

Don worked for John Deere for 35 years and was one of the 13 original members to start the John Deere Product Engineering Center in Cedar Falls. He retired in 1982. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, the Supervisor’s Club, St. Vincent’s DePaul Society, and the American Legion of Waterloo.

Don was the beloved husband of the late Ruth (Schuetz) Kemp with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. He was the devoted father to Ron of West Burlington, John (Debbie) of Vinton, Richard, Gary both of Des Moines; Donna Marie Cammack of St. Paul, Minn., Connie (Tom) Horn of Marion Ill., Kristine (Mike) Wick of Eagan, Minn., Kitty Kemp of Charles City, Mary Beth (Dan) Walbruch of Savage, Minn., and Jaynie Kemp of Holland, Iowa.

He is the cherished grandfather to 24 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, and counting.

He was preceded in death by: his mother Catherine, father William, brother Joseph and sister Agnes House.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30am Tuesday October 9, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery where full military rites will be performed by the Waterloo AMVETS Post 19, Evansdale AMVETS Post 31 and the United States Navy Honor Guard.

Public visitation will be from 4-7:00 pm Monday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway where there will be a 4:00pm Knight of Columbus rosary and a 7:00pm vigil. Visitation also for an hour before services at the church on Tuesday.

Don was a devout Catholic, woodworker, fisherman and a unique and wonderful man, loved by all who knew him. He will be remembered as a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

A one hour “Donald Kemp Memorial Born 1920/06/10 Died 2018/10/05” youtube video was made by one of his daughter’s husband. The first 15 minutes of youtube are of his war years.

Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/IawdGYcCwYg or, click on the icon to the left of the obituary that says, "Watch Tribute Video"

SOURCE: Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service