Kathleen Kempke

Kathleen Ann (Leys) Kempke of Kernersville, NC, quietly passed away on Friday, February 1, 2019. Kathy was a spry sixty-two years of age, having just returned from a week-long vacation with friends just a few days before her passing.

Kathy was born on Good Friday, March 30, 1956 in Watertown, Wisconsin, daughter of Wilbert and Helen (Halkola) Leys.

Kathy pursued her career in marketing and analysis. She began at Ambrosia Chocolate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While employed full time, she joined a unique set of working adults pursuing their Bachelor’s degree at Alverno College. In 1992, Kathy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management. Five years later (1997), Kathy moved to Louisville, Kentucky to begin her career with Brown & Williamson. She moved up through the ranks (and through various mergers and acquisitions), retiring as Senior Manager – Trade Analysis at R.J. Reynolds in North Carolina when she turned 62 in 2018.

Kathy enjoyed to travel and experience different cultures. She accompanied her mother, Helen, to their ancestral home of Isojoki, Finland. Kathy also traveled to China, several European countries, and many parts of these United States.

A devout Green Bay Packers fan, you could find Kathy on any given Sunday at her favorite watering hole cheering on her team. But Kathy knew the game was a game, and far more important to her was the comraderie and friendships she built with those who surrounded her.

Kathy is being welcomed into the community of saints by her parents, Wilbert and Helen; her maternal grandparents, Axel and Hilda Halkola; her paternal grandparents, John and Anna Leys, among other relations and friends.

Kathy is survived by her sister, Sue (John) Murack; two brothers: Randy (Mary) Leys, and Jeff Leys; three nephews, Pat (Chantal) Murack, Steve (Alyssa) Murack and Mark (Kelsey) Murack; three nieces, Megan Leys, Katie Leys, and Rebecca Leys; a grand-niece, Eliza; and grand-nephew, Jaxton. Kathy’s survivors also include cousins, aunts, and many, many good, close friends. And, of course, Brandy mourns Kathy’s passing (her four legged canine companion of many years).

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel.

Kathy’s family requests that memorials be sent to Project No Kill Canine Rescue, PO Box 965, Kernersville, NC 27285 or other animal rescue of your choosing. Kathy’s passion was the protection of and the well-being of our four legged neighbors.