Caryl Jean Gempler, age 84, of Monroe, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, surrounded by her family. She was born on March 14, 1934 to Paul and Edna (Gust) Kuehni in Oregon, WI. Caryl was a graduate of Oregon High School. She was united in marriage to William Harris Gempler on November 6, 1954 in Verona.
Caryl and her husband owned and operated Gempler’s Tire Shop for many years; she assisted Harris as a “Girl Friday” by helping with bookkeeping, running errands, or whatever was needed to be done. She was a proud member of the Monroe community and enjoyed volunteering as a Brownie Leader for Girls Scouts, Den Mother for Boy Scouts, also during Poppy days for the VFW, and giving her time at the Monroe Hospital. She was also a member of the Monroe Moose Lodge and a longtime member of St. John’s United Church of Christ. In her free time, Caryl enjoyed baking, reading, square dancing with her husband, and Hallmark movies. Her family was most important in her life, and she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Caryl is survived by her children, Terry (Joe) Gulesserian of Middleton and Paul (Barb Verville) Gempler of Eagan, MN; three grandchildren, Ashley (Gregg) Leccesi, and Noah and Maya Gempler; great-grandchildren, Toby and Madison Leccesi; and brother-in-law, Richard Steele and his children, Tammy, Tim and Beth.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister, Shirley Steele.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at St. John’s United Church of Christ with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. Burial will follow service in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday at church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Shriner Hager Gohlke Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Restoring Hope Transplant House, 7457 Terrace Ave. Middleton, WI 53562. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.shriner111.com
Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home
1455 Mansion Dr. P.O. Box 86 Monroe, WI 53566
Phone: 608-325-4306 Fax: 608-325-2185
