James Joseph Kempf1948 - 2013James (Jim) Joseph Kempf, 65, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 30, surrounded by his loving family at Aurora St. Lukes Hospital in Milwaukee. He was born on April 7, 1948, in Bristol, Wis., to Sam and Laura Kempf. In his youth, he was an accomplished campfire cook, go-cart engineer, and member of the FFA. He first saw the love of his life, Diane Weis, in the cafeteria of Central High School, and married her on March 23, 1968, while serving in the U.S. Air Force. The couple resided in Michigan during his years of service and returned to Bristol in 1971 to raise their three children and run the family dairy farm. A farmer through and through, Jim loved the land he worked with his father and son.In 1989 he embarked on a new venture, opening Kempf Welding and Machine, and then in 1993, they sold the dairy cattle. He was a wealth of knowledge and hard worker. A true jack-of-all-trades, he wasnt afraid to tackle any project. If he didnt know how to do something, he found a way to get it done - and did it well. After retiring, he and Diane relocated to the Town of Brighton, where they enjoyed hosting family bonfires, giving tractor rides to grandkids, working their land, and taking a daily evening tour of their farm with a Miller 64. He was the backbone of his family - a remarkable husband, a caring and protective father, and a fun-loving and gentle papa to his grandchildren. Jim was fiercely devoted to his loved ones - both family and friends; he was always willing to lend a hand and was the go-to man for advice based on his strong beliefs and ethics. Jim served on the Bristol Volunteer Fire Department from 1975-89, during which time he received the honor of Fireman of the Year and a short tenure as Assistant Chief. He belonged to AMPI, Classic Cruisers, and Southeast Wisconsin Antique Power & Collectible Society. Other hobbies included collecting model trains, restoring antique tractors with his son, and visiting friends around Wisconsin on his motorcycle. Jim is proudly survived by his loving wife; three adoring children and their spouses, Kristine Johnson (Paul Campagna), Paul (Kate) Kempf, Sarah (Mike) Kopesky; 12 grandchildren, Nicolas, Samuel, Sophia, Josh, Cory, Zack, Logan, Ellie, Genavieve, Olivia, Hudson and Hayes; his mother, Laura (Waldo) Kempf; siblings Bill Kempf and Carol (Frank) Bell; inlaws Ralph (Corrine) Weis, Boni (Bill) Maurice, Darlene Weis, Linda (Dennis) Cole, Chris (Dee) Weis, Dan (Marie) Weis, Dean (Tracy) Weis, Tim (Jane) Weis; and numerous loving cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Sam; brother, Chuck; inlaws Barney and Erna Weis and Jack Weis.His family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the exceptional efforts and care provided by first responders from the Kansasville Fire Department, emergency team at Burlington Hospital, and doctors and nurses in the Neurosurgical ICU Unit at Aurora St. Lukes Hospital in Milwaukee.A celebration of his life will be held Tuesday, June 4, 4-8 p.m. at Bristol Oaks Country Club. Memorials may be made to the Kansasville Fire Department, Bristol Fire Department, , or Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory625 Browns Lake Dr.Burlington, WI 53105262-763-3434www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com