JoAnn E. (Detrixhe) Kempton, age 91, of Concordia, Kansas, died on Monday, July 18, 2022 at the Cloud County Health Center, Concordia, Kansas. She was born on May 12, 1931 near St. Joseph, Kansas, to Edmond J. and Albertine S. (Sorell) Bechard.
She graduated from Clay Center High School in 1948.
JoAnn married Clinton W. Detrixhe of Ames, Kansas, on September 5, 1949 and five children were born to this union. Clinton preceded her in death on July 13, 1973.
JoAnn married Clayton W. Kempton on November 23, 1976. After he retired from the utility construction business in Montrose, Colorado, in 1991, they moved back to the farm near Ames, Kansas, and later to Clifton, Kansas, in 1995.
She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Clifton, and served on the Altar Society. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family reunions, playing bridge and pitch, family genealogy, puzzles, dancing, and was a member of the Red Hat Society.
JoAnn is survived by her sons, Jan Wayne Detrixhe (Patty), Concordia, Kansas, Phillip Kent Detrixhe (Rosa), Overland Park, Kansas, Fred Joseph Detrixhe (Cindy), Concordia, Kansas; daughter, Pamela A. Detrixhe (Paul Schultz), Lansdowne, Pennsylvania; stepdaughter, Terri Watson (Robert), Littleton, Colorado; stepson-in-law, Jerry Stadel, Montrose, Colorado; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma Jean Lyon, Salina, Kansas; brother LaVern Bechard (Audrey), Salina, Kansas; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a large extended family.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clinton; a son, Richard Charles Detrixhe; husband, Clayton; stepdaughter, Paula Rose Stadel; three brothers, Roland Bechard, Norman Bechard, Donald Bechard; three sisters, Mary Frances Anderson, Gladys Forde, Arlene McNeil; and three grandchildren, twins Michael and Mark, and Christopher.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday July 23, 2022 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia, with Fr. David Metz officiating. Burial will follow at Nelson Center Cemetery, Huscher, Kansas.
Visitation will be on Friday, July 22, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a parish rosary prayed at 6:00 pm at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia.
The family suggests memorials to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Clifton, Kansas, in care of the funeral home.
For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.