Ernie and Sharron (Grinde) Gempeler were married on May 28, 1960 at Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church in DeForest. They farmed in rural Monticello until 1972 when they purchased Streiff's grocery store in downtown Monticello, which they still own and operate as Gempeler's Supermarket. Ernie and Sharron have two children, Connie (Keith) Von Der Heide, Fitchburg, and Ken (Patty) Gempeler, Monticello; three grandchildren, Katy and Kyle Von Der Heide and Julia Gempeler; and two step-grandchildren, Ben and Becky Workman. They celebrated with a family dinner.