Ted Kempen

Mike, as he was known to family and friends growing up, was born in Morris, MN on September 21, 1942 to Ted M. Van Kempen and Idell Van Kempen. He attended grade schools in Morris, MN, Abercrombie, ND and Summit, SD. In 1956 he moved to Fairmount, ND with his mother and step- father and three brothers. He graduated from Fairmount High School in 1961 and entered the U.S. Air Force in September, 1961. He was honorably discharged in September, 1966.
Mike married Mary Ann Arnold in September of 1964. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in September of 2014.

In 1967, Mike enrolled in a 2 year program at Thief River Falls Technical School and graduated in May, 1969 with his Federal Aviation Mechanics License. He began his 40 year aviation career in Moline, Ill., then Minneapolis, MN where he started working for the corporate aviation division of Burlington Northern Railroad. He and Mary Ann were subsequently transferred to Denver, CO., Seattle, WA and Houston, TX. They moved to Lincoln, NE in 1995 and then Salem, OR in 1997; where Mike retired in 2007.

Mike was an avid golfer, enjoyed attending car shows, remodeling projects and spent many happy hours working in the garage on his PT Cruiser and listening to his 1950's CD collection. He and Mary Ann explored the many states they called home and especially loved the Oregon coast. Mike was a hard worker, took care of his family, had a great sense of humor and could fix anything; even if it didn't have "wings"!

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his sister, Betty Jean Burreson, Minnesota City, MN and two brothers, David Van Kempen, Nunn, CO and Paul Mosey, Fairmount, ND. and many nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Ted M. Van Kempen and Idell Mosey and two brothers, Charles Blaisdell and Richard Van Kempen.