Rose Ann Kempker

Rose Ann Kempker, 87, of Westphalia passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 surrounded by her family at Stonebridge Westphalia.

She was born in Jefferson City on November 17, 1938 to the late Clem and Matilda (Grafe) Veit.  Rose grew up in Folk and was a 1956 graduate of Fatima High School.  On April 7, 1956 Rose married Virgil Kempker at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Folk. 

To say she was a busy woman would be an understatement.  The mother of ten children, Rose took great pride in making their house a home.  She was a skilled seamstress and loved stitching quilts for her family.  Rose made clothes for the kids and designed dresses for family.  She had an artistic flair and a love for music.  You might have found her drawing, painting or writing beautiful poetry or you might have found her singing, dancing or playing her beloved harmonica.   Rose was known for her wedding cakes and requested many times to bake her famous Red Velvet cake.  She enjoyed shopping, playing Bingo and a bit of gambling.  Over the years Rose helped support her family working for several different businesses.  They included Quaker Windows, Scholastic, Senior Citizen bus driving in Linn, Kindergarten bus driving for Fatima and achieving the rank of Sargeant with the Missouri Department of Corrections working at Renz Women’s Penitentiary.  She was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where she sang in the choir and was past member of the sewing circle.  In her younger years, Rose supported the community with her membership in the American Legion and the VFW of Argyle.

Survivors include six children; Doris West of Freeburg, Diane (Raymond) Morgan, David Kempker, Dwayne (Tanya) Kempker, Donna Kesel (Dale Zimmer) and Delores “Lynn” Kempker, all of Folk; brother, Charles (Diane) Veit of Folk; thirteen grandchildren; one step grandchild; twenty-three great grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth Veit of Folk; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Struemph of St. Elizabeth and Gerald (Liz) Kempker of Independence.  Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; son; Danny Kempker; three daughters, Deborah Thompson, Darlene Welschmeyer and Dawn Ramos; three grandchildren, Ivy Kempker, Michael Welschmeyer, Selena Ramos; six siblings; Evelyn Struemph, Delphine Wolken, Dorothy Veit, Georgia Berhorst, Clem Veit Jr. and Harold “Butch” Veit.

Visitation will be Monday, April 27, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary being prayed at 3:30 p.m. at Trimble Funeral Homes-Westphalia. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Folk.  Reverend Dylan Schrader will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Memorials may be directed to St. Anthony Sewing Circle.