Catherine Gempeler

Gempeler, Catherine "Kay" MADISON Catherine (Kay) Endres Gempeler, died on Sunday, April 20, 2008, in Naples, Fla. Kay was a lifelong resident of Madison. She was the daughter of Catherine Clemens and Albert J. Endres, founder of the Endres Electric Company. She was married in 1942 to Henry J. Gempeler, of Monroe. Kay was an avid golfer and had been a member of Blackhawk Country Club for many years. Kay loved living on Lake Mendota, entertaining, boating and water skiing and teaching her grandchildren and their friends how to water ski. She was devoted to volunteerism, as a member of the Parent Teachers Association, Board of Directors of Blessed Sacrament School and at Edgewood High School as a member of the Volunteer Auxiliary. She was the first director of volunteer services at St. Marys Hospital, where she opened the first hospital gift shop and initiated many volunteer services for the patients in St. Marys. She was a member of the American Hospital Association of Volunteer Services and a member of the Wisconsin Hospital Association of Director of Volunteers. She was also a member of Catholic Womens Club and the Attic Angel Association. Kay is survived by her two sons, Henry A. (Mary Kay) Gempeler of Madison, and Geoffrey J. (Madalyn) Gempeler of Breckenridge, Colo.; five grandchildren, Michael (Mary Beth), Bradley (Amy), James, Christopher (Kristi) and Michelle; and great-grandchildren, Samantha, Jacob, Sarah, Grace, Catherine, and Benjamin; a sister, Mary Durkin of Waukesha; niece, Sharon Glocker of Madison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; their son, Gerard; her parents; and sister, Dorothy Bleecker. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Ave., Madison. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials may be made to St. Marys Hospital Foundation or Attic Angel Association.