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GERALDINE PHYLLIS KEMPTHORNE
Born: Dec 16, 1925
Date of Passing: Feb 26, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGERALDINE PHYLLIS KEMPTHORNE
Geraldine began her 99 year life journey on December 16, 1925 on the family homestead in Desford, Manitoba. She grew up on the farm and attended Woodlake school (a one room school with grades one to eight). She then boarded with a family in Boissevain to obtain her high school education.
In 1943 she married Gilbert Gunderson and in June 1944 they had a son Eldon. In December of 1944 she received a telegram giving her the devastating news she was a war widow. Fortunately, she was living with her parents on the farm during this difficult time. In the late 1940's her parents encouraged her to attend school in Brandon. It was in Brandon that she started dating Mervin Kempthorne, and they were married in Brandon in April 1951.
Geraldine and Mervin built a home on the Kempthorne homestead and raised their children Eldon, Philip, Darrell, Trevor and Janice. They farmed and enjoyed life in the Boissevain district for 30 years. Geraldine always had a huge garden and in the fall she spent many hours processing the produce for the winter months. She prepared delicious meals for her family and was always baking cakes and cookies for them to enjoy. Skilled at sewing she made many outfits for herself, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many hours were spent doing needlepoint, petite point and embroidery over the years.
Geraldine was a 4-H leader for the Boissevain Home Ec club, a member of 64 Square dance club, W.I., Boissevain Legion, St Paul's United Church, UCW and Kelowna Travel Club. Geraldine enjoyed dancing and most dances found Mervin and her with the Chambers and Latimer’s. Coffee was always on for friends to drop by and socialize and on Fridays it was wine night with her dear friends Cathy and Lydia.
Geraldine and Mervin loved to travel and did so across Canada with their camper and Children in tow. The camper spent many summers at Lake Max where friends and family stopped in for a cold drink or a BBQ or both as the door was always open. Geraldine's favorite holiday was to Hawaii, and she reminisced about it over the years.
In the early 1980's they moved to the interior of BC. living in Westbank and Kelowna. A month of the summer was spent travelling back to Manitoba with the camper to see family and friends each year. Geraldine spent hours in her flower gardens and was always so proud of the beauty and aroma's they produced. During the winter she took computer courses and bowled weekly. She took great pride in making her own greeting cards for all occasions for her family and friends. Email was a great pastime for her as she could correspond with family and friends near and far. We could always count on a joke or two weekly from her.
During the fall of 1984 their son Philip was killed in a car accident, this was an extremely difficult time for Geraldine and the family.
In 2005 Geraldine and Mervin moved back to Boissevain due to Mervin's health. Geraldine looked after Mervin at home and when he went to personal care she spent every day visiting him until he passed away in February of 2014, two months before their 63th anniversary. During those difficult days her email was the joy that enabled her to connect with family and friends.
The simple pleasures of life brought her great joy as she dedicated her life to raising and teaching her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren the importance of family, love and hard work. She touched the hearts of everyone who knew her with kindness, humor, and love.
Geraldine is survived by four children Eldon (Joan), Darrell(Brenda), Trevor(Barbara), Janice(Duncan) ten grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren
Due to her great longevity of life, she lost many family and friends before her. Her immediate predeceased family are Cecil and Alma (parents) Lealand (brother) Gilbert Gunderson (husband) Mervin Kempthorne (husband) Philip Kempthorne(son) Collin Kempthorne (grandson)
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Paul’s United Church, Boissevain, MB at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Boissevain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Geraldine may be made to St. Paul’s United Church Box 309 Boissevain, MB R0K 0E0 or to a charity of one’s choice.
As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 08, 2025