John Hamlin Kemkes

John Kemkes passed away at his home on Friday evening, Feb. 16, at the age of 80. John was born to Wilbur and Marjorie Kemkes in 1937 in Minneapolis, and grew up along the Minnesota River in the town of Chaska. While in high school there, he began dating the love of his life, Audrey, and they married in April 1959.

After having served in the U.S. Air Force with interceptor squadrons based in Maine, John and Audrey returned for a time to Minnesota. In 1970, he moved his family to Montana to pursue an opportunity with Patterson Dental, the company with which he enjoyed a long and successful career and from which he retired in 2003.

John greatly enjoyed time with his family, good food and drink, and hiking in the beautiful mountains of Montana and Wyoming. During his hikes in the mountains, John was especially content and happy.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Audrey; his three sons, Brian, David, and Frank; his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and his brother Robert of Washburn, Wisconsin. Our family wishes to acknowledge his long-time friends Dale and Diane Sackett of Riverton, Wyominga€"we are grateful to them for having been such great friends to Dad.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial with family and friends will be held this summer, at which time John's ashes will be interred at the Yellowstone National Cemetery.

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