Genevieve Kemen

GENEVIEVE KEMEN

Cedar Rapids

Genevieve Kemen, 100, a resident of The Meth-Wick Community, died there Sunday, April 17, 2016, of natural causes. Her memorial service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, Minn., at a later date. Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Kemen of Mounds View, Minn., and Rolf Kemen (Marci) of Eden Prairie, Minn.; one daughter, Mary Kemen (Brian Randall) of Cedar Rapids; and a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Kemen of Roseville, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Kemen; two brothers, Arthur and Paul; her eldest son, John; and one granddaughter, Julie.

Genevieve was born March 15, 1916, in Duluth, Minn., to Leola (Howard) and Mark Thompson. She attended high school at Villa Santa Scholastica Academy, affiliated with the College of St. Scholastica. She was a 1939 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree. She met her future husband on the inter-campus streetcar at the University of Minnesota and they were married in Duluth on May 30, 1941. She taught sewing, tailoring and home management skills at Rochester Evening Community College for decades.

Genevieve was an avid reader, accomplished gardener and lifelong nutrition educator.

She was beloved for her humorous, optimistic outlook on life. She will be remembered for her lifelong advocacy on behalf of the impoverished and needy. Her devotion to social justice and equality will be her lasting legacy.

The family wishes to express appreciation to all of the caregivers at Meth-Wick, who for the past 20 years provided loving care of Genevieve and Joseph.

Memorials may be made in her name to Donors Choose (DonorsChoose.org), an educational fund, or Oxfam (oxfamamerica.org).

Online condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.