Helen R. Kempf, 91 died Monday, January 12, 2015 at home near Terre Haute, Indiana. She was born on September 10, 1923 and passed away just a few hundred feet away from her childhood birthplace. She graduated from Glenn High School in rural Vigo County and then began her college education at Indiana State Teachers College but due to her mother's death she returned home to help raise her younger siblings. Helen then married Durward R. Kempf in 1944 and became a full time homemaker raising six children for the next 27 years. She then went back to college in 1968 and graduated in 1970 from Indiana State University with a degree in education. Helen then substitute taught at several schools in Southern Indiana for a few years before again becoming a full time homemaker. Helen lived in Vigo County her first 30 years and then moved to Boonville, Indiana with her husband for his work. They lived in Boonville for the next 31 years before returning to rural Vigo County next to the land she grew up on where she lived the last 30 years. Helen helped her husband grow a garden of vegetables, raised cattle and fixed many meals for her husband and family on the farm. Helen really enjoyed family gatherings when her many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren would visit. Everyone looked forward to Helen's cooking. Helen was a member of the Boonville Wesleyan Church for more than 30 years. She served as a Sunday school teacher, church treasurer and as an officer on several of the churches committees. Once returning to the Terre Haute area she attended the Hulman Street Wesleyan Church and the Terre Haute First Church of the Nazarene. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Gertrude Rector, a sister Lela Lemon and brothers Marvin Rector and Noble Rector and a granddaughter, Ashley Hansen. Helen is survived by her husband of 70 years Durward R, (Dory) Kempf, her six children, Durward L. Kempf (Virginia) of Boonville, IN, Diana Hansen of Chicago, Il., Jerry Kempf (Jayne) of Newburgh, IN, Donald Kempf (Fredonna) of St. Joseph, Mich., Ronald Kempf (Terry) of Newburgh, IN and Yohanna (Susie) Kempf of Boonville, IN, ten grandchildren, Jay Kempf, Tracy Zdzienicki, Troy Hansen, Jon Kempf, Jason Kempf, Julie Mohr, Jarrod Kempf, Jeremy Kempf, Steve Kempf, Katie Kempf, twenty five great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Helen is also survived by a brother Robert Rector and his wife Gwenneth, and two sisters in law, Wilma Rector and Doris McChesney and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 16 at DeBaun Wabash Avenue Chapel in Terre Haute. Funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Larry Mathias. Burial will be in Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, IN. Friends may call Thursday 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. until service time at DeBaun Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to Terre Haute First Church of the Nazarene in Terre Haute or The Boonville Wesleyan Church in Boonville. Online condolences may be offered at www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.