George Kemper

San Tan Valley, Ariz.

George Kemper, 74, longtime owner and operator of Kemper Construction, died from brain cancer on April 9, 2024 at his winter home in San Tan Valley, Arizona. His loving daughters, McKenzee and Kassidy were at his side.

George William Kemper was born June 12, 1949 in Minot to Paul and Betty (Slagle) Kemper. He was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1967. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in civil engineering in 1972. As a young adult, he was employed in Alaska, Colorado, and Idaho prior to joining his father in the operation of the family business Kemper Construction, in 1977.

Kemper Construction is one of the oldest, multigenerational, family-owned construction companies in North Dakota and celebrated its 100th anniversary in business in 2007. Kemper Construction was part of the municipal/heavy division of the Association of General Contractors of North Dakota (AGC of ND). Most of these contractors are large companies, but Kemper Construction took pride in being an effective, efficient, smaller company. George was well known for bringing the “smaller commercial contractor” perspective to the AGC of ND policy and legislative discussions. He was known as the “voice of the smaller contractor” in industry circles. He served multiple terms on the AGC of ND Board of Directors, and as President in 2005. George was awarded the AGC of ND’s highest honor “Association of General Contractors of North Dakota Honorary Membership” in 2014. This award is given to the very best of the AGC of ND members for their lifetime contributions to the construction industry.

Kemper Construction provided many years of service across the entire state of North Dakota as a municipal water and sewer projects general contractor. When George sold Kemper Construction in 2014 he remained active in the AGC of ND and continued to advise and assist in the orderly transition of the business ownership.

On a more personal level, George was involved in many civic activities which included membership in the Minot Rotary Club, YMCA, Minot Indoor Tennis Club, Pheasants for the Future, Inquisitors, Minot Gun Club, Minot Country Club and Vardon Golf Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and took regular fishing trips with good friends into the interior of Canada where many fish stories were hatched. He also enjoyed boating in the Fort Stevenson area of Lake Sakakawea with some fishing, but more socializing with the “lake crew.” In more recent times, he enjoyed the winter months in Arizona where he golfed, shot trap, and socialized with friends who also wintered in Arizona.

George was a very devoted reader of World War II aviation history and he traveled throughout the United States to see and fly in aircraft from earlier years. Also, he made a trip to Guadalcanal to see the area of that horrific battle. He planted two trees on the island in memory of his father and Walter Bachmeier who both served in World War II. He was also of the opinion that he had mastered the crockpot and stir-fry, but some of his family would disagree.

George thoroughly enjoyed time spent at his farmstead near Granville. He took pride in both innovative ways to attract and feed wildlife and the irrigation of the many trees and bushes planted on the property.

George’s personality was as big as his laugh, and everyone knew to whom it belonged. Nobody got the last word in when you were around George because he just left the room when he was done talking.

George’s greatest interest and love was his family. He was a loving son and brother to his sister Jane, and brothers Fred, and John. George was a devoted father to his daughters: McKenzee and Kassidy and had a treasured relationship with Ashlee and Josh.

George is survived by his daughters: Kassidy (Nicholas Murdock) Kemper, Raleigh, NC and Dr. McKenzee (Benjamin Koll) Kemper, Perham, MN; step-children: Ashlee (Cameron) Deschamp and Josh (Audra) Duhamel; grandchildren: Savannah Murdock, Sonja and Ginny Koll, Everette and Oliver Deschamp, Axl and Shepherd Duhamel; siblings: Jane Kemper, Buckeye, AZ, Fred Paul Kemper, Lisbon, ND and John Kemper, Lodi, CA; nieces and nephews: Patrick Lips, Minot, Elizabeth (Matt) Eggers, Avon, SD, Kathleen (Drew) Ferguson, Omaha, NE and Jeanette (Kelly O’Brien) Baker, Minneapolis, MN.

George was preceded in death by his mother, Betty in 1977, brother (Jane’s twin brother), James in 1991 and father, Paul in 1998.

Celebration of the Life of George Kemper: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences access his obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, ND.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 18, 2024.