Janet Marie Kempen

Janet Marie (Kronforst) Kempen, age 95, of Mishicot, passed away Tuesday evening, June 15, 2021 at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center in Manitowoc.

Janet was born April 30, 1926, the eldest of three children to the late Alvin and Loretta (Halada) Kronforst, Sr. She attended St. James Grade School in Cooperstown, WI as well as Mishicot High School where she participated in band, pep band, basketball, the class play, and was on the prom court. In 1944, she married Eugene P. Kempen at St. James Catholic Church in Cooperstown WI.

Janet worked in a number of positions starting with the Sheboygan Produce Egg Plant in Sheboygan, WI, and the Pauly Co. Cheese Factory in Manitowoc. She most fondly remembered her time as a cook at the Mishicot High School and then her 13 years as Head Cook at the Otto H. Schultz Elementary School in Mishicot.

Janet spent over 50 years with the Altar Society of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mishicot where she served at one time as President. She was a lifetime member of the Kempen-Staudinger-Terens VFW Post #7753 Auxiliary, during which she held many offices. For 12 years, Janet was an active member of MAGIC (Mishicot Area Growth Improvement Committee) Beautification; she was active at the Mishicot Senior Center; a lifetime member of the Mishicot High School Alumni Association; as well as spending time with the Manitowoc Homemakers Association.

Her greatest joy was for her children, grandchildren, close relatives and her many many friends. A special thank you to Joe, Jeanette, and Abby who always gave her their love and attention.

Janet is survived by her children: Bud (Sheila) Kempen, Menomonee Falls, WI, Don (Sue) Kempen, De Pere, WI, Larry Kempen, Green Bay, WI, and a son-in-law, Dennis Hagenow of Two Rivers; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Marge Kostechka of Manitowoc also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her daughter, Judy Hagenow; and her brother, Alvin Kronforst, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mishicot. Rev. Jeffrey Briones will officiate at the Mass of Christian Burial, with entombment to take place in Calvary Mausoleum, Manitowoc at a later date.

The family will greet relatives and friends at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Saturday morning from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m.

The funeral service will be live streamed on St. Anne and Holy Cross Catholic Parishes YouTube page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donors choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

The Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home of Mishicot is assisting the Kempen family with funeral arrangements.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Holy Family Memorial Medical Center for the wonderful & compassionate care given to our dear mother and grandmother during her final days.