Gail Kempfer

WINDSOR/DEFOREST – On Sunday, June 19th, 2016, Gail Ann (Harvey) Kempfer unexpectedly exchanged her earthly home for a heavenly one, and quietly slipped away.

Gail was born on October 18, 1941, to Jerome W. and Dorothy B. (Junge) Harvey, and had an idyllic early childhood on their Windsor farm in a home filled with love.

But when Gail was 8, she was among the waves of children who filled hospitals that deadly summer after contracting polio. The beautiful little flaxen-haired girl who loved to skip and run would never walk again except with braces and crutches, and later an electric scooter.

While many people facing such hardships might feel sorry for themselves, Gail spent the rest of her life doing the things she wasn't supposed to be able to do. With an indomitable spirit, she was buoyed by love of family, lifelong friendships, and the deep Christian faith which sustained her all her life.

Gail's adventures in education began at Vincent School -- a country one-room schoolhouse, complete with outhouse in the back. Involved in many student organizations, Gail graduated from DeForest High School in 1960. Long before the American Disabilities Act and physical accommodations, Gail braved icy sidewalks and unforgiving stairways to get a college education. With the support of the UW-Platteville administration and the kindness of fellow students, Gail thrived, and in 1964 received her library science and music degrees. In 2009, Gail was honored as a UW-Platteville Distinguished Alumna.

Gail graduated from UW-P at a time when prospective employers often discriminated against job seekers with disabilities. But the Sun Prairie School District recognized her abilities, and hired a gem. Gail was hired as the Middle School librarian, believed passionately in the power of education, and made the library a place of welcome and enrichment for all. She later attended UW-Madison to become a Wisconsin DPI Library Media Specialist, and one of her proudest professional achievements was designing the Patrick Marsh Middle School Library Media Center. Gail received the Crystal Apple Award for outstanding educators from NBC Channel 15 in 2001, and retired in 2005 after serving the Sun Prairie School District for 41 years.

But one of Gail's most cherished roles was that of mother and grandmother. Following her marriage to Wayne Kempfer in 1966, they welcomed Charles (Chaz) and Lisa into their family, and grandchildren Christopher Ballentine and Renee Heppner. No mother or grandmother loved and cared more deeply, or stood so ready to help in ways large and small.

In the late 1990s, Gail began to develop post-polio symptoms. She worked with others to co-found the Madison Area Post-Polio Support Group -- an organization providing information and assistance to polio survivors and their families -- and served on its executive planning committee.

Gail was a life-long learner with great curiosity and many interests: leading tours at the Wisconsin Executive Residence; enjoying book clubs; playing bridge; serving as a 4-H leader; giving piano lessons; assisting with puppet PALS, a Head Start program; participating in an intergenerational book discussion group sponsored by the RSVP organization; accompanying an award-winning elementary school science team to Washington DC; and traveling extensively in the U.S. and Scandinavia. But spending time with family and friends was ‘heaven’ to Gail.

Gail's deep faith sustained her through joys and sadness, and she walked with her Lord every day of her life. As a lifelong member of Windsor United Church of Christ, Gail served as Moderator, Sunday School teacher for over 30 years, food pantry and fundraising volunteer, and was a valued participant in Bible study and adult discussion groups. People knew she "walked her talk", and when she spoke, people listened.

Gail was practical, stoic to a fault, and never complained. She valued her independence and was able to live on her own until her final day. Others drew strength from her strength. But just beneath her serious demeanor was a hearty laugh and a love of fun. Gail had a huge capacity for rich friendships; to be a friend of Gail’s was to be a friend for life. People loved her deeply, admired her greatly, and were inspired continuously. Faced with physical challenges which might cause many to withdraw and turn inward, Gail’s response was to give herself away: her love, her time, her help, and her resources. She rarely talked about the things she did for others.

Gail is survived by daughter Lisa Kempfer; grandchildren Christopher Ballentine and Renee Heppner; sister Bonnie (Dwight) Ziegler and brother Alan (Diane) Harvey; a great-grandchild, nieces and nephews; and former husband Wayne Kempfer. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son Charles (Chaz) Kempfer.

A celebration of Gail’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 24th at Windsor United Church of Christ, 4434 Second Street, Windsor, WI with the Reverend Dr. Julie Overman officiating. A same-day visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Dean Healthcare, the pastors and members of Windsor United Church of Christ, special caregiver Char Sopha, CNA, and the many friends who were so wonderful to Gail over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Windsor United Church of Christ or to the Madison Area Post-Polio Support Group (affiliated with Easter Seals).

NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw once described heroes as "people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away." In an increasingly harsh world filled with shallow pursuits, heroes are greatly needed. But if we watch and listen, we will find that they are here: quietly living lives of love and giving themselves away, and greatly enhancing the lives of others while expecting nothing in return. This is the legacy left by Gail to us. This is the legacy that we can leave to others.

Dear Gail, your loss was so sudden and we were not ready. But we know where you are, and Whose child you are. Go with God, and know radiant new life. And may you be blessed with one more honor: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”