Jack Kempter

Jack Kempter, 71, of Waubay, SD passed away on Friday September 4, 2020 at his home in Waubay. Graveside Services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday September 10, 2020 at Lakewood Cemetery near Waubay. Military honors will be provided by Vietnam Veteran of America NESD Chapter 1054. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Jack’s family. Fiksdal Funeral Service of Webster is handling the arrangements. Fiksdalfuneral.com Jack Russell Kempter was born on March 7, 1949 in Richwood, West Virginia. At 5 years old he was adopted by Don and Barbara (Hinkle) Kempter. The family lived in Fairfield, California until 1962 and they then moved to New Delhi, India where they lived for one year. In 1963 they moved to Waubay, South Dakota. Jack graduated from Waubay High School in 1967. After his education Jack joined the USAF. During his service in the Air Force he was stationed in Vietnam and in 1970 was stationed at Beale Air Force Base in Marysville, California. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Barrett on April 30, 1971. Jack attended diesel mechanic school in Arkansas and in 1973 he joined the United States Navy and retired in 1990. The couple lived in California from 1988-1996. In 1996 they moved back to Waubay where he served as American Legion Commander, President of Vietnam Veteran Of America NESD Chapter 1054 for five years as well as VVA State President for two years. He was a volunteer fireman and Jack also worked at the Waubay High School doing custodial work. He enjoyed working on cars, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, mud bogging with his 4-wheeler, and above all else he cherished spending time with his family and friends. Jack passed away on Friday September 4, 2020 at his home in Waubay, SD at the age of 71 years, 5 months, and 28 days. Jack will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathryn Kempter of Waubay, SD; one son James Kempter of Somers, MT; two daughters Katrina Kurkowski of Grenville, SD and Shannon Little of Wichita Falls, TX; one brother Kirk (Pam) Kempter of Sioux City, IA; two sisters Karen (Don) Ludens of Armour, SD and Kathleen (Orris) Swayze of Wilmot, SD; mother-in-law Patty Barrett of Waubay, SD; 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jack Jr., and an infant grandson.