Gabi Kempf

Gabi Kempf, longtime comfort dog at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, died Friday night, March 19, 2021 after being stricken at home.

Gabi was born (notably along with her sister Gretchen Kempf) into the Mark and Paige Ducheney household with their many other brothers and sisters on October 28, 2008, all ready to go to new homes in our community.

Sue, Craig and Karen Miller went to see the new Ducheney pups.  Gabi ran around all the other dogs and went directly to Sue, effectively picking Sue instead of the other way around!  Sue exclaimed "I've never had a dog of my own!" and her friend and co-worker who was part of the "Pick A Puppy" entourage that left the funeral home that Saturday morning, Karen Miller, immediately said "Well, you must have one!" So it came to pass.  Gabi came home with Sue, while her sister Gretchen came home with Craig, on Christmas Day in 2008 and immediately the two labs became part of the funeral home's family,  (Actually, these two girls started the relationship that became the marriage creating Craig and Sue Kempf.  "That's a special gal that loves a dog like that" said Craig.  But that's a story for another day!)

Gabi with her sister Gretchen met many grieving families at the door of the funeral home from then on.  They both instinctively knew when someone was hurting and would be comfort to them.  Gretchen preceded her sister Gabi in death on April 4, 2018.   Gabi continued her work at the funeral home by herself after that.  Currently she was training the funeral home's new comfort dog, Gracie Stallard (Chuck and Beth Stallard's girl) helping Gracie "learn the ropes" which she is doing well.  Children were a favorite of Gabi's.

Gabi loved playing with her sister, children and anyone who would!!  She loved running and swimming.  Gabi was an enthusiastic travel companion to Craig and Sue, always ready to jump in the truck for a new adventure.

Gabi is survived by her puppy parents Craig and Sue, and her extended Kempf Funeral Home family.

If Gabi touched your life and you want to remember her with a memorial please do so with a donation to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan at https://www.hsscm.org