CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Mary Lou Kite Tempel, 96, formerly of Champaign and Savoy, died on the morning of Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Tuscola Health Care Center in Tuscola.
There will be a visitation on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 9-10 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 403 W. Clark, Champaign. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10am at the church with Msgr. Brian Brownsey officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Grandview Memorial Gardens, Champaign. Owens Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary was born on December 29, 1927 in Keokuk, Iowa. She was the first daughter and second child of Addison Eugene Kite and Laura Mae Reynolds Kite. She attended 13 years of school and graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in June 1945 at 17 years old.
In February 1946, she entered Mercy Hospital Nursing School. While there she met Maurice C. Tempel. They became engaged and were married Nov. 12, 1947. They were married 63 years until his death in 2010.
Together they had 4 children (3 daughters and 1 son), Mary Katherine Tempel Mortland (Dan), Charles Eugene Tempel, Debra Ann Tempel Heffernan (Robert) and Theresa Joan Tempel Strube (Mark).
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings, daughter Theresa and a grandson, Eric Heffernan. She is survived by 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be offered at Owens Funeral Home.