Roger Charles Hempen, 76, of Keokuk, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at the
Southeast Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison.
Roger was born November 5, 1946, in Keokuk, Iowa the son of Roger and Luella (Blaise)
Hempen and was raised by his loving grandmother, Jessie Blaise. He attended Keokuk High
School where he was an exceptional trumpet player. He played for the class graduation in
1965. On August 27, 1966, he was united in marriage to Karen Shutt. She survives. He then
went on to attain his teaching degree from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri in 1969.
He was a beloved fifth grade teacher in the Keokuk Schools for thirty-nine years, retiring in
2009. He truly loved his profession and students, and his classroom was always highly sought-
after year after year. Roger was an avid muscle car enthusiast and an avid supporter of his son
and grandson’s motocross career which took him and family all over the nation. Above all these
things, Roger loved the Lord Jesus Christ. As a young adult, after hearing the truth of the gospel,
God brought him to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This was evidenced by the way he
lived his life in obedience to Gods Word walking in humble love for His Savior. Roger was a
changed man by the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Roger left a lasting legacy that is evident still in his loved ones. His desire above all would be
that his family and friends would come to the saving knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.”
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him”.
Roger is survived by his wife, Karen, of Argyle; brother, Robert Hempen, of Keokuk; sisters,
Cindy Stanley, of Keokuk, Connie Martin, of Douglasville, GA, and Lori Bloom of Montrose, IA;
son Kenny (Tracy) Hempen of Argyle; daughter, Tonya (Chuck) O’Neal of Hillsboro, Oregon;
grandchildren, Courtney (Ethan) Wollbrink, Kenny (Carissa) Hempen, Jr., Jennifer (Kevin) Skarin,
Josiah (Lena) Hempen, Luke Hempen, Abigail Hempen, Audrey Hempen and Lydia Hempen,
Charlie (Presleigh) O’Neal, Jordanna (Kale) Kiaunis, Joshua O’Neal and Karen O’Neal; great
grandchildren, Henry, Kate and Mary Wollbrink, Ruth, Evelyn and Roger Hempen, Julia and
David Skarin, Samantha, Cora, Hazel and Carl O’Neal and Roger and Emma Kiaunis.
Family will meet friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday evening, September 19, 2023, at DeJong-
Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk. Family and close friends are invited to the funeral
services on Wednesday the 20th located at the Hempens home at 10:00 a.m. at 3324 Argyle
Road, Argyle, IA 52619. A memorial fund has been established.