Blanche Marie Kemper

(April 24, 1927 - February 2, 2011)

Blanche Marie Kemper, 83, a resident of the Verboort community died February 2, 2011 at the Hillsboro Health and Rehabilitation in Hillsboro.

The recitation of the Holy Rosary will be said at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Visitation Catholic Church; 4285 NW Visitation Rd in Verboort.

A Memorial Mass will follow the services at 11:00 AM at Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort

A private Rite of Christian burial will take place at the Visitation Catholic Cemetery in Verboort later the same day.

Blanche was born on April 24, 1927 in Banks, OR. She was one of five children born to Remi and Mary (Cop) Vuylsteke. She was raised on the family farm in Banks and attended school at Greenville School. Blanche later attended Banks High School and graduated with the Class of 1944. Following High School Blanche began working as a clerk for the Hillsboro Argus.

Blanche met Clarence “Click” on a blind date arranged by his friend, Scott Hess. She was united in marriage to Clarence Kemper on November 26, 1946 in Roy, OR. It was a double wedding with Scott and Jean Hess. Following their marriage they moved to the Kemper family farm in Verboort were they raised their family and have lived since.

Blanche was first and foremost a loving wife and mother to her family. She also worked in the Washington County Sheriff’s office where she retired in 1988 after 23 years of dedicated service.

Among her interest she enjoyed gardening and giving her vegetables to family and friends. During the holidays she turned her kitchen into a candy and baking factory making holiday gifts for family and friends, including her friends at the doctor’s office where she received excellent care through the years. She was also an active member of the Visitation Parish Alter Society and very much enjoyed working with the members in support of this ministry. One of Blanche’s favorite activities was searching rummage and garage sales for bargains. In their earlier days, Clarence and Blanche would adventure to the coast to clam dig and to eastern Oregon to rock hound. In later years when travel was difficult, she enjoyed visiting with her family and friends on the back patio next to her garden, always encouraging visitors to take some corn or tomatoes home.

She is preceded in death by her parents and three siblings; Clarence and Lawrence Vuylsteke, and Florence Riley.

Survivors include her husband; Clarence Kemper, three children and their spouses; James “Jim” and Laurie Kemper of Gaston, OR, Donald “Don” and Debbie Kemper of Hillsboro, OR, Michele and Bill Anonsen of Monument, CO, a brother; David Vuylsteke, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren

The family suggests donations in Blanche’s name to Visitation Parish Alter Society