DIANE ROPP KEMP
June 23, 2014
Diane Louise Kemp of Lewiston died of a severe stroke at the age of 71 on Monday, June 23, 2014.
Diane was born to Gilman Arthur Bramstedt and Mary Louise (McCready) Bramstedt Jan. 25, 1943, in San Diego. She later moved to Lewiston with her mother
and grandmother, Stella McCready, where she was later adopted by her stepfather,
Lonnie C. Ropp.
Diane attended St. Stanislaus Grade School for eight years and graduated from Lewiston Senior High School in 1961. She enrolled in St. Joseph’s Hospital Licensed Practical Nursing School and graduated in 1964. With her license, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the surgery unit until 1979. Diane was an extremely accomplished pianist and organist. She played for many church services, weddings and funerals.
In February of 1966, Diane married Michael James McCann. They adopted two sons, Robert Charles McCann and Steven Joseph McCann. The marriage ended in divorce. She then married William Lavern Kemp in November 1983.
In 1991, she began attending Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in history/political science in 1996. During her time at school, she was the secretary of the Honors Society for two years.
Diane is survived by her loving husband, William Lavern Kemp; her mother, Mary L. Ropp; a sister, Catherine Anne Ropp Hopper; sons Robert J. McCann (Felicia) and Steven C. McCann; stepchildren David Kemp (Carleen), Duane Kemp (Corinne), and Karla Kemp Patterson (Michael); seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Diane was preceded in death by her father, Lonnie C. Ropp; and brothers Timothy John Ropp (Della) and Nicholas Paul Ropp (Tara).
Cremation has taken place and there will be private services under the direction of Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston.