Obituary - Kempton, Wayne E.

January 5, 1943 - October 2, 2023

It is with profound sadness and love that the family of Wayne Eugene Kempton announces his passing on October 2, 2023, at the age of 80 years. Wayne passed peacefully at the Regina General Hospital with his loving wife Margaret by his side.
Wayne was born January 5, 1943, the fourth child of Ralph and Ivy Kempton, younger sibling to Helen, Howard and Dale. Wayne was raised on the family farm two miles north of Semans. Upon finishing high school, Wayne spent some time in Weyburn working for his brother-in-law Harold Cowan as a butcher. He soon returned home to Semans and joined his brother Howard in H.R. Kempton Construction Ltd. Together, they worked in gravel crushing, Redi-mix, excavating, road gravelling and water and sewer installation. Wayne enjoyed many years of business and entrepreneurship until 2006, when he slowed down to semi-retirement.

In 1965, Wayne met the love of his life, Margaret. They were married in April of 1968 and spent 55 wonderful years together. During that time, they were blessed with three wonderful daughters that equally delighted and frustrated him. Later on, the girl's spouses and eight loving grandchildren completed the family.
In their later years, Wayne and Margaret enjoyed wintering in Yuma, Arizona, for 15 years, where they made many dear friends. When they were home for the summer, Wayne spent a few years working for the RM hauling gravel. Later on, he and Marg worked together as groundskeepers at the Punnichy Golf Club until June of 2023. Wayne’s work ethic and determination to see a job well done served him well his entire life.
As a child, Wayne discovered a love of hockey that he passed on to several of his grandchildren. Wayne was the goaltender for the Semans Wheat Kings for more than two decades. In 2012, Wayne was delighted to be inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame with fellow members of the 1955-1964 Semans Wheat Kings, known as the Decade of Champions.
Over the years, Wayne filled his time with various other hobbies and community service. Wayne and Marg enjoyed curling and golf and spent countless hours at the rink and on the course. Wayne was a community-minded citizen. He was always on hand to help out with various community projects, from snow removal to Christmas light installation or any other job that could benefit from the use of heavy equipment or Wayne’s expertise. Wayne spent many years serving on the Credit Union Board and as an alderman on Village council.
One of Wayne’s most defining characteristics was his deep love of animals. A gentle and caring man, he never failed to have a kind word and a treat for any pet he encountered. In his later years, Wayne was always sure to travel with a selection of cat and dog treats in his vehicle for his daughters and friends' pets. There was never a conversation with Wayne that did not begin with inquiries about how the cats and dogs were doing or end with instructions to take good care of them.
Wayne was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Ralph and Ivy Kempton, his brother Howard Kempton, Margaret’s parents Dick and Betty Wert and Brother-in-law Michael Summerfeldt.
Wayne will be dearly missed by his loving wife Margaret; his daughters Cara (Dave) Wihlidal, Charla (Dustin) Halstead and Gina Kempton. He leaves eight grandchildren: Madison (Russell) and Brandon Wihlidal; Dawson, Kailey and Zaiden Halstead; and Xavier, Hadley and Nixon Doane. Wayne will be remembered by countless friends, community members and former employees.
Wayne will be remembered as a man who lived his life to the fullest, loved his family beyond measure and spread laughter and witty humour to all who knew him. Truly a life well lived.
A Memorial Service took place at Semans United Church, Semans, SK, on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. with Mary Anne Grand officiating. Private Family Interment followed in Semans Cemetery. Memorial donations to Semans Gymnasium c/o Village of Semans would be appreciated. For online condolences, tributes or memorial donations, please visit: https://fotheringham-mcdougall.com/