Obituary of Marilou Kempf

Marilou Barnard Olsen Kempf was born in Fargo, North Dakota on April 8, 1933 to Chester and Margaret Barnard. She was the youngest of 11 children (Ray, Opal, Lyle, Norman, Peggy, Chester, Margaret, Donald, Duane and Gene). She married Even Olsen and had three children, Rodney, Bret (Sandi Saylor) and Keith. Even passed in 1977. She later married Wally Kempf. Marilou lived in Fargo, North Dakota, San Jose, California and eventually moved to Portland, Oregon. She joined four of her siblings, Peggy, Margaret, Chester and Gene who had moved to Oregon. The Barnard family was very large and close. Marilou lived close to her siblings and they spent a lot of time together with all the cousins growing up together. Weekends, holidays, summer camping trips were spent with family as her children grew up. Any Saturday morning might find Marilou and Even at Gene or Margaret’s home having coffee and planning the next big family event. She loved to bowl and play pool and was a fabulous cook. Family was most important to her and through happy times and sad times the family came together to aid in any way they could. Marilou loved the Oregon Coast and she and Wally lived in Garibaldi, Oregon before his death. Later she also visited Apache Junction, Arizona where many of her siblings spent the winters. Marilou was a wonderful mother to her sons and continued a loving relationship with them as they grew up, got married, and had children of their own. She was blessed to have seven grandchildren: Annette Rehms (Ken), Even Olsen (Leanna), Kalani Hoffert (Craig), Marcus Olsen, Amber Danner (Matt), Forest Olsen and Owen Olsen. She had six great grandchildren: Kara and Parker Rehms, Grey Olsen, Wyatt and MacKenzie Hoffart and Kysen Danner. She cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to spend time with them. Marilou was loved by her many nieces and nephews. Having no daughters, she was a second mom to several of her nieces and always was there to support them. She enjoyed the many “Girl’s Weekends” spent with them at lake merwin. Family reunions were especially important, and she was able to attend the most recent reunion in September of this year. Marilou was a strong and independent woman, way before her time. She suffered with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis for several years. She had a stroke which caused additional issues with her mobility. But she was a fighter and recovered to the best of her ability. She continued her ceramics, painting and gardening for as long as she was able. Marilou was a role model to many and loved by all. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. Marilou passed on Sunday November 10, 2019, with her sons Bret and Keith and her daughter-in-law Sandi by her side. She was preceded in death by her siblings Ray, Opal, Lyle, Norman, Peggy, Chester, Margaret and Duane, and her beloved son Rodney. She will be missed and stay in our memories forever.