Ronald J. "Ron" Kempen

Ronald Joseph Kempen, 69, passed from both the joy and suffering of this life into the healing arms of Jesus on December 31, 2020 at Ascension – St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. He was reading his Bible at the time, just like his older brother was doing when he died.

 Ron was born in Appleton to the late Robert Kempen, Sr., and Felicia (Thill) Kempen on August 29, 1951. Though he was born in Appleton, their home was in Manitowoc. After losing his mother at the age of 8, his father later married Arlene, and the family moved to Freedom where Ron graduated from Freedom High School in 1969.

 Making his life work in paper mills, Ron was employed by Thilmany’s for many years, followed by a short stint at CBC Coating, and retired in 2008 after nearly two decades at Appleton Coated.

 Ron received Jesus as his Savior in 1994 and since then had made it his mission to tell others of Jesus’ saving grace. He was an active church member at Calvary Chapel, The Vine, and most recently at Fox River Baptist Church. For many years, he wrote articles for Wisconsin Christian News and volunteered at the Salvation Army and Freedom Center Food Pantry in Appleton.

 Ron was an avid fan of both the Packers and the Brewers. He enjoyed bowling in his earlier years participating in leagues. When Parkinson’s Disease limited his mobility, he enjoyed Madden Football and various computer games.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Houck) Kempen, daughters Felicia (Kempen) Torres and Rhonda Kempen, half-sister Kathy Clark (Randy), half-brother, James Kempen, stepbrother Robert Sievert, grandchildren Vanessa and Brianna Torres, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Ron was predeceased by brothers Gregory Kempen and Robert Kempen, Jr.; his mother, Felicia Kempen; his father Robert Kempen, Sr.; and stepmother, Arlene Kempen.

Funeral Services for Ron will be on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 1:00pm at Fox River Baptist Church, 2700 E. Henry Street in Appleton. There will be a gathering prior to the service on Wednesday at the church from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear your mask. Wichmann Funeral Homes, Jansen Fargo Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information and to express condolences please visit www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com.

We greatly appreciate the wonderful care given by his many doctors throughout the years, and more recently, the podiatrists, Wound Care Clinic, and those in St. Elizabeth Hospital that were by his side in his last days and moments.

 Words cannot express how much Ron will be missed by those who knew and loved him. We rejoice that he is no longer in pain and look forward to the day when we will see him again in heaven.