Roger Herbert Kemp

Roger Herbert Kemp, 93, Wausau, passed away peacefully at Mountain Terrace Senior Living on March 16, 2025 with family members by his side.

Roger was born March 3, 1932 in Marathon, WI to Herbert J. and Helen A. (Leitermann) Kemp. He married Mary Ann Priebe on July 2, 1955 at St. Michael Parish, Wausau.

He served two years of active duty in the US. Army beginning in 1952 stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY.

Roger and his wife, Mary Ann, owned Kemp Service Center Inc. Roger was involved in the operation of that business from 1951 until 1997 at which time he turned the business over to his son, Steve.

Roger was active in the St. Michael Parish as an usher and on various parish council committees, St. Michael School as PTA President, and he served on the Board of Directors of Newman High School. Roger was active in the Wisconsin Automotive Trades Association for most of his years in the business and served on the board of directors for 25 years holding various positions including WATA President and Chairman of the board. He served a number of years on the Automotive Advisory Board of NTC and was involved in the DECA Automotive program of the Wausau School District

He was very active in a number of Lions organizations since 1971 in the Town of Texas Lions Club, serving in most of the offices of the club. He served Wis. Lions District 27C-1 as Zone Chairman, Region Chairman and District Eye Bank Chairman. He served on the Board of Directors of the Lions Eye Bank of Wis. at Madison for 3 years and the Marathon County Lions Eye Bank Support Group for 40 years in various offices. He received numerous leadership awards in Lionism including the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the Birch Sturm Fellowship Award, The Knight of Sight Award and the International President Leadership Award along with other State & Lions International Leadership Award Certificates. He is a member of the Wausau Elks Lodge 248 serving since 1982.

Roger enjoyed music with the piano, accordion, square dancing, polka dancing, fishing, scuba diving, traveling, vacationing in the Bahama Islands, and enjoyed his family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving partner Sylvia Koch.  He is also survived by four children: Kathryn (David Bohan) and their son, Phillip (Emily Groh), Chicago; Craig, (Kathy Zeinert) and family, Katelynn (Jonnathan Cocoa) and Christopher (Allison), New Berlin; Pamela Coffey and sons Jason and Joshua, Wausau; Steven (Colleen) and family, Keith, Brooklyn (Jad Itani), and Brynna, Wausau. Roger also has two great-grandchildren: Amina Itani and Cameron Kemp.  He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann, a son, Keith Allen and his parents Herbert & Helen (Leitermann) Kemp.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. all at the church on Friday.  Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau with full military honors conducted by the American Legion Post No. 10, Wausau.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.