Bernard “Ben” Kempe, 83, of LeRoy, Minn., died Thursday, June 14, 2012, at Ostrander Care and Rehab in Ostrander, Minn.

Ben was born Feb. 26, 1929, to Theodore and Gesine (Fastenau) Kempe in Meservey, Iowa, where he attended country schools. The family moved to a farm near LeRoy where he attended LeRoy Public School obtained his GED in 1966.

On Aug. 21, 1960, he was united in marriage to Mardell Hudson at the Lost Island Lutheran Church in Ruthven, Iowa. They had two children, Donavan and Denise. Ben farmed with his dad for a number of years and also farmed on his own for many years. He was a school bus driver for the LeRoy-Ostrander Public Schools for 30 years and was a member of the LeRoy Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. Ben served in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953 serving in Korea and was a member of the LeRoy American Legion Post 161 for many years. He enjoyed farming and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Mardell of LeRoy; one son, Donavan Kempe of McIntire, Iowa; one daughter, Denise Caldwell of Ostrander; four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Amanda and Garett Kempe; one brother, Joe (Alice) Kempe of LeRoy; and three sisters, Tillie Speer, Marilyn (Harlo) Wheeler and MaryAnn (Dick) Freerksen, all of LeRoy. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Betty Kempe of LeRoy. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Karl.

Funeral services for Bernard “Ben” Kempe will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at the LeRoy Lutheran Church in LeRoy. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 18, 2012, at the Hindt Funeral Home in LeRoy. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service.

Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com