Dennis Michael Kemble, The Keeper of the Fence Row and dancer extraordinaire, was welcomed into Heaven surrounded by his loving family May 10, 2019. He was 76 years of age. A Celebration of Life was held Friday, May 17 at the Panora Community Building in Panora.
Dennis was born August 13, 1942, to Leola (Chayer) and Charley Bill Kemble Jr. in Des Moines. The third of four, he was always a team player. When he wasn’t joking around with his siblings, you could find Denny fishing, hunting, working with his dogs, and playing basketball. He played well into his early 70s, and made it a point to teach his children and grandchildren.
He also enjoyed ballroom dancing, and even gave lessons for a short time with his first wife, Linda. His best moves and some of our favorites could only be seen at home.
After graduating from Panora High School in 1960, Denny enlisted in the United States Navy, joining brothers Brad and Terry. He trained in San Diego, and served as a surgical nurse in the Philippines until 1964.
Shortly after returning from the service, Denny married Linda Fitz on March 20, 1965. They had four children—Denise, Daffnie, Dena, and Michael—and lived together in Panora until 1998.
Denny met his second wife, Judy Larson, in 1999. The two married on October 2, 2004, more than doubling their family. They spent time traveling, dancing at Lake Robbins, volunteering in the community, spoiling their grandchildren, and baking (she baked, he indulged his infamous sweet tooth). They lived together on the Larson farm in Jefferson until his passing.
Dennis Kemble is survived by wife Judy Larson, and four children, four stepchildren, 19 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They are: Denise and Ron Kennebeck, children Jeff and Sydney, and granddaughter Londyn; Daffnie Nutter, children Jessica, Blake, and Brianna, and granddaughter Willow; Dena and Mike Mobley and children Tanner, Whitley, Kaylee, Laurel, and Alex; Michael and Andrea Kemble and sons Denny and Beau; Kim and Jim Gilbert and sons Ryan and David; Robin and Greg Schuttler and daughters Laura, Andrea, and Lindsey; Julie Larson and Edward Engle and daughters Emily and Hannah; Steven Larson; and daughter of the heart, Sonal Padalkar.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
