CLAFLIN — Frederick Dean Kempke, 83, of Claflin, Kan., died Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. He was born Oct. 18, 1936, at Ellsworth, Kan., the son of George Oakland and Rose Pauline (Schneider) Kempke.  

Dean graduated from Holyrood High School in 1955. On Oct. 29, 1955, he married Janice I. Swalley in Holyrood, Kan. She survives. 

Dean spent his career working in the oilfield doing various jobs and retired from Harbison-Fisher after 22 years as a pump salesman. He was known by many as one of the best in the business. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Claflin and served as a cook in the Army National Guard. He enjoyed tinkering with lawn mowers, keeping his yard mowed, cleaning his vehicles, making custom engraved limestone rocks and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. 

Other survivors include three sons David Kempke and wife Denise of Claflin, Kan., Randy Kempke of North Kansas City, Mo., and Brad Kempke and wife Robin of Johnson, Kan.; a brother, Wayne Kempke and wife Carol of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sharon Kaye Schroeder. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 1, 2020, from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. with family present from 6 until 8 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington, Kan. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church in Claflin with Pastor Daniel Harders officiating. Interment will follow at Claflin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Claflin Ambulance Fund or Zion Lutheran Church in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home 

P.O. Box 146 

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 1, 2020