Mel Kempke

Melvin Kempke, age 72, of North Platte, passed away at home on Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Melvin was born October 5, 1947, to Maynard and Velda Kempke in Nebraska City. He grew up in Southeastern Nebraska then after high school he graduated from Milford Community College in 1968 with a degree in construction.

In May of 1969 Melvin married Nyhlia Farris in Grand Island. They moved to North Platte in 1971 where they raised 2 sons, Keith and Chad.

Mel worked for Piester Construction building new homes from 1971 to ‘78 then hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired in 2010 as an Engineer Manager.

Mel loved woodworking, geo-caching, camping, and touring the US on his Goldwing trike with Nyhlia, and was a member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Velda, of Syracuse; and his father-in-law, Edwin Farris, of Grand Island.

Mel is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nyhlia, of North Platte; sons, Keith (Becky Lamberty), of North Platte and Chad (Treva Barker), of Avondale, AZ; three grandchildren, Eli and Ruth, of North Platte and Aryn Sullivan, of Omaha; brothers, Merlin (Merna) Kempke, of Fremont and Michael Kempke, of Lincoln; mother-in-law Viola Farris, of Grand Island; five sisters-in-law, six brothers-in-law and other family.

Cremation was chosen. Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore with Chaplain Gary Smith officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be sent to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.