Obituary of Kenneth Henry Burkemper

A Mass of Christian Burial for Kenneth Henry Burkemper of Troy, MO will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church near Old Monroe, MO. Fr. Randy Tochtrop of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, MO and Fr. Michael Lampe of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Old Monroe, will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kevin Hansen, Eric Hansen, Leon Burkemper, Jesse Burkemper, Robbie Dyer and Lane Stille. Honorary pallbearers will be Emily Carline, Jessica Jones, Tom Dyer, Tom Goellner and Pat Dyer. Kenny, 91, passed away early Wednesday morning, May 8, 2024 at Abbey Senior Health in O’Fallon, MO. Born November 21, 1932 on the family farm in Old Monroe, he was the son of Paul Frank and Caroline Wehde Burkemper. Kenny served his country in the United States Army before leaving to return home to work on the farm. Kenny was united in marriage on October 26, 1957 in Josephville, MO to Mary Agnes Wilmes. This union was blessed with two daughters, Theresa and Elizabeth. Kenny and Mary had a wonderful marriage and enjoyed their daughters and later watching their grandchildren grow. They were in a ballroom dancing club for 25 years. Mary passed away on December 9, 2005 after 48 wonderful years of marriage. Kenny later met a wonderful woman to share the remainder of his life with. Kenny was united in marriage on January 4, 2008 in Old Monroe to Kathleen June (Dickherber) Braungardt. Kenny enjoyed June’s loving companionship. They were good together and were blessed with 16 years of marriage. June has a larger family and Kenny very much enjoyed all their family activities and great meals. Kenny was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was a former member of the Old Monroe Fire Department, Cattleman’s Association and Dairy Association. Kenny was always devoted to his family and devout in his faith. He always talked about and worked hard on the farm with dairy, livestock and grain. He worked hard but liked to have fun too. Kenny had a great sense of humor. He loved to eat and always looked forward to his next meal. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Caroline Burkemper; two sisters: Madeline Heitman and Irene Henke, one brother, Paul Burkemper; and his first wife, Mary A. Burkemper. Survivors include his wife, June Burkemper of Troy; two daughters: Theresa Detert and her husband, Dennis, of Troy and Elizabeth Moore of Old Monroe; four grandchildren: Kevin Hansen and his wife, Helen, of the United Kingdom, Eric Hansen and his wife, Melissa, of St. Paul, MO, Emily Carline and her husband, Tommy, of O’Fallon, MO and Jessica Jones and her husband, Braiden, of Troy; and three great-grandchildren: Ledger, Gemma and Niamh. Kenny also leaves one sister, Lois Schipper of Lake St. Louis, MO and his loving stepchildren: Harry Braungardt and his wife, Shelly, Sherry Juergensmeyer and her husband, Garlan, Benny Braungardt and his companion, Charlotte, Jeff Braungardt and his wife, Denise, Becky Stille and her husband, Curtis and Amy Flynn and her husband, Danny; twenty-three step-grandchildren; fifty-one step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Memorials may be made to the Masses (or) Bree’s Gift in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.