LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Arlys’ Livestream Service will begin at 10:30 a.m. CT on Friday, January 24, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

FITCHBURG - Arlys Louise Lobitz Kempf died peacefully on January 12, 2025, with her husband, Lee, and family nearby.

Arly was born on April 11, 1933, to parents Walter and Louise Lobitz in Watertown, Minn. She was the youngest of four children and grew up on their family farm. Arly began her education in a one room schoolhouse. Her life-long love of reading began with the school’s “library,” two large bookcases where she could take home a different book every night. She moved to a larger school in 4th grade and then attended Gustavus Adolphus College, graduating with degrees in English and mathematics in 1955.

She embarked on the first of a lifetime of adventures when she took a teaching job in Michigan where she met her husband, Lee Kempf. They married in 1957 and within a few years moved to Madrid, Spain, where Lee taught at the high school at the Air Force base. They traveled throughout Europe and it sparked a love of travel that continued for the rest of their lives.

Lee and Arly raised two daughters and after four years in Spain they moved to Madison, Wis. Arly had substituted for the high school librarian in Spain and loved it. So, when they moved to Madison, Arly obtained her master’s degree in library science and started many happy years as an elementary school librarian. She taught at Glendale Elementary for 20 years.

Arly leaves behind her husband of 67 years, Lee; and daughters, Jody Kempf (Mark Yeazel) and Jill Kempf (Don Blankenship). She had five beloved grandchildren, Linnea and Nathan Yeazel and Kate, Sofie and Jackson Blankenship; and one great-grandson, Ian Wild. She was preceded in death by her sister, Hazel Rosenthal; and brothers, Lloyd and Don Lobitz.

She will be greatly missed by her family, but her example of a life well lived inspires us all.

A visitation will be held at MIDVALE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4329 Tokay Blvd, Madison, at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Public Schools Foundation, the Fitchburg Senior Center, or the Fitchburg Public Library.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Arlys L. Kempf

April 11, 1933 - January 12, 2025

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