FITCHBURG - Leland “Lee” Kempf passed away peacefully the morning of August 13, 2026, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wis. Lee was born on January 21, 1933, in Madison, to Eunice and Walter Kempf.

Anyone who knew Lee knows how much he loved sports. He started playing sports at an early age, playing volleyball, basketball and little league baseball. He played for several years on the little league Tippler Transfer team, including winning the city championships. In high school and college, he played many sports including tennis and football, but he shone in basketball, especially after hitting his growth spurt to 6'5". He played on the varsity basketball team for Madison East High School and later was a key center for his college team at Wisconsin State College-La Crosse. Local papers called him the "Madison Skyscraper," steering the team toward victory and scoring 20+ points per game. During his two years of military service in Okinawa, he played on military volleyball and basketball teams, traveling throughout the Pacific region.

After the military he completed his college degree and began his career in teaching. Teaching brought him first to a school in Detroit, where he met the love of his life, Arlys. They married and had their first daughter, Jody. Teaching then brought them to their next adventure, following their dear friends the Learys to Spain to teach on an army base in Madrid.

Lee and Arly's four years in Spain ignited a life-long love of travel and exploration. They traveled extensively around Europe, and even after returning to the states they would prioritize travel for the rest of their lives. The family settled back in Madison, Wis., now with two daughters, Jill and Jody. Lee worked at several Madison schools, ending his career at Schenk Middle School as a Learning Coordinator. Lee and Arly remained deeply involved in their community, including volunteering for many years at the Monona Terrace as docents.

Lee’s love of sports continued throughout his life. Over the years he coached junior high basketball and officiated high school volleyball, basketball and football. He even played Senior Olympics volleyball into his 70s.

Lee was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Arly; and brothers, Neil, Wayne and Terry. He is survived by his two daughters, Jody Kempf (Mark Yeazel) and Jill Kempf (Don Blankenship); grandchildren, Kate, Sofie and Jackson Blankenship, and Linnea and Nathan Yeazel; and great-grandson, Ian.

The family will hold a private service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Public Schools Foundation (https://schoolsmakemadison.org/donate/), the Fitchburg Senior Center (www.fitchburgwi.gov/621/Senior-Center) or the Fitchburg Public Library (https://www.fitchburgwi.gov/2178/Giving-to-the-Library).

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

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Leland Walter Kempf

January 21, 1933 - August 13, 2026

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