LaVern Mae Kemp, 84
LaVern Mae Kemp passed peacefully surrounded by family on April 23, 2022.
She was born Memorial Day, May 30, 1937, in West Fargo, North Dakota, baptized on the Fourth of July and fully anticipated passing on a major holiday.
She was the fourth out of five children born to Herbert and Emelia (Lauf) Robertson. Her father worked in civil defense during the war and then in the construction industry. The family moved frequently and one year she enrolled in six different schools. It was a source of pride that she finally obtained her high school diploma through correspondence the same year her eldest child graduated from high school.
LaVern met her future husband, Emory, through her sister and his brother. They married in 1957, becoming the last of the three Robertson sisters to marry three Kemp brothers.
For 15 years they farmed 40 acres on Ashelot Bench outside of Great Falls, while Emory worked in the construction industry. Having vacationed in the Flathead Valley years prior, they longed for its beauty and opportunity and moved the family in 1971.
LaVern managed Columbia Falls Circle K on Nucleus Avenue for several years, then began her career in customer service at the Bank of Columbia Falls where she retired in 1997. Emory passed in 2001. LaVern was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and enjoyed the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League activities such as quilt making and ministering to the community. She helped with many funeral luncheons and was looking forward to being on the receiving end. She had a strong faith and firm belief that she would join Jesus and Emory in heaven.
She enjoyed crocheting, cross stitch, jigsaw puzzles and her daily paper’s crossword puzzle. She was a voracious reader and serious card player.
She was preceded in death by her husband Emory O. Kemp.
She is survived by son Richard Kemp of Vacaville, California, and daughters Cynthia (Cal) Decker of Columbia Falls, Brenda (Bradford) McLamb of Kernersville, North Carolina, and Gwen (Tim) Shay of Columbia Falls. She is survived by grandchildren, Lisa Ballard, Laura Shay, Brynn Kvamme, Aaron Shay, Kristen Kemp, Kacey Kemp and Sarah McLamb, and the recent addition of great-granddaughter Bailey Albright.
She was a caring mother and grandmother, and we will miss her loving, nurturing spirit and sense of humor.
Please consider memorials to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Columbia Falls.
A funeral will be held 1 p.m., Friday, April 29, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 640 Seventh St. W. in Columbia Falls. A graveside committal will follow at 3 p.m.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.