Elsie (Vissers) Kempen passed away May 7, 2012 after a year long
battle with cancer. She was born August 27, 1922 in West De Pere to the
late Martin and Cecilia Vissers. She graduated from St. Joseph's grade
school in De Pere and won a 4 year scholarship to St. Joseph's Girls
Academy in Green Bay. On June 8, 1944 she married Clarence Kempen
and moved to the Kempen family farm in Freedom, Wisconsin. She
was a church organist for many years at St. Joseph, St. Boniface, and
Our Lady of Lourdes churches in De Pere. She loved to play cards and
do volunteer work at Rennes Health Center and the St. Vincent De Paul
store. Elsie and Clarence moved to De Pere in 1953 where they raised
five children, Judy Baxter, Kentucky; Joan (John) Bennesh, Florida;
Elaine (Peter) Antcliffe, Cambridge, WI; Ellen, Cross Plains, WI; and Ken,
De Pere. She is survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren,
a sister, Joanne (Mike) Roznowski of Green Bay, and a brother, Bernard
(Lillian) Vissers of De Pere. Elsie was preceded in death by her loving
Husband Clarence, who died March 31, 1996, an infant daughter Mary and
infant son, Joseph, as well as sisters Margaret, Agnes (Harold) Vande Hei,
Leona (Sylvester "Bud") Nackers, Verona (Harvey) Van Lanen, Frances
(John "Bud") Vande Hei, and brothers Lawrence (Gen) Vissers and Robert
(Jeanette) Vissers. She was a loving, caring wife and mother who will
be missed forever. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family corner of Lourdes Ave. and Suburban Drive in De Pere on Saturday, May 12 at 10 a.m. with Fr. Tim Shillcox O.Praem officiating. Visitation will be held at the church starting at 8:30 a.m. prior to the funeral mass. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences. The RYAN FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family.