Jessie Kaye Kemner
Jessie Kaye Kemmer of 201 Knollwood, Quincy, Illinois passed away Friday, June 6th, 2025, in her home with her husband, Norman and daughter Susan by her side. Born November 6, 1933, Kaye was the cherished daughter of Albert G. Siepker Sr. and Kathleen E. (Smith) Siepker. A graduate of Madison School and Quincy High School, she attended Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri receiving her Associate in Arts 1953. In 1955, Kaye completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Following graduation, she with two close college friends ventured to Los Angeles, California to teach in the public school system. Often she spoke fondly of their exploration of the California coastline with the exceptional freedom few young women from the mid-west could experience then.
Kaye returned to Quincy in 1957 to continue her teaching career with Quincy Public Schools, first at Adams then Monroe. She wed Norman in St. Peter Catholic Church June 13th, 1959. They had corresponded with each other while Kaye taught in California. From the first day they met, Norman vowed she would be the one he would marry. A most stunning bride and groom if ever, both dazzling in eyes and spirit on that day.
Kaye was an exceptional educator, adored by the hundreds of 3rd grade students she instructed. She was valued by parents for her dedication to their children’s progress and respected by colleagues for her enthusiastic commitment to their shared objectives. Later she returned to study for a Masters in Education (Specialized in Reading) from Western Illinois University in 1985.
Throughout her life, Kaye was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi social sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization of Women Educators, the University of Illinois Alumni Association, the Quincy American Association of University Women, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, the Quincy Jaycee-ettes. She was a Blessing Hospital Volunteer Receptionist, a member of the Quincy Service League, the Quincy Illinois Herb Guild and numerous other weekly and monthly gatherings of like-minded women be it for coffee meet-ups, players of bridge or even dance and exercise groups.
Kaye with husband Norman travelled extensively with their children in the United States from Washington DC to the Disneys of Florida and California. They visited Pikes Peak, Mesa Verda, New Orleans, Williamsburg, St. Louis, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit…they even hosted an international high school exchange student from Denmark for a year. Their further travels took them to Acapulco, Rio de Janeiro, Portland and Seattle. They took both an Alaskan and a Bahamas cruise, also trips along the coast of Portugal and to Paris.
They experienced a bitterly cold visit to London and surrounding historical sites in England. Also, the hottest year for travel in 1989, renting a Skoda for an open-air road trip through the former Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Northen Italy and Switzerland with their daughter Susan. Additionally a visit to South Korea, onward to Hong Kong, Singapore and the west coast of Malaysia. Together they braved an excursion to China visiting Beijing, stretches of the Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Army in Xi’an. How fortunate they were to explore these cultures across their lives together.
Kaye was preceded in death by a sister Rosemary in infancy, her parents, and brother, Dr. Albert G Siepker, Jr and his wife Eileen.
Surviving is her husband Norman, daughter Susan (Quincy), daughter Kathy and her husband, Dr. TJ Murphy (Atlanta, GA), granddaughter Brianna (Atlanta, GA) and grandson, Sean (New York City, NY). Also, cousins Mrs. Jane Nolan and Mrs. Susie Moore.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 20th, 2025, at St. Peters Church 10:00am – 11:00am with a Mass of Catholic Burial to follow at 11:00 AM. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery directly after Mass. A luncheon will be held at St. Peter following inurnment. Memorials can be directed to St. Peter’s School Fund, the Quincy University Norman & Jessie Kaye Kemner Scholarship or the Community Foundation Kaye and Norman Kemner Education Fund. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Dear Norm and Family,
With sadness we learn of Kay’s death. We look back at the times we did spend together years ago when we belonged to the Jaycees and Jaycee ttes.
We even bought our first baby bed from Kemner’s Inc. It has been ages since we were able to visit with you but we shall always remember the days gone by.
The Wenturas, Dick & Pat
Kay was one of the 1st teachers who influenced me as a challenging 3rd grader at Monroe. I’ll never forget her personality and understanding as a teacher. Later in life as I was entering the education profession, we crossed paths. It was a special moment. Thank you Mrs. Kemner. RIP
Mrs Kemner was my third grade teacher at Adams School and one of my favorites! I have been sending her cards for a few years for Advent and Lent, as part of a ministry at St Peter Church. I will miss picking out special cards for her. She was a special lady!
Our condolences to Norm, Kathy, Susan & families on your tremendous loss. I always enjoyed speaking with Kaye when visiting in our Curved Creek Road neighborhood. Know you will miss her presence in your lives & her smile that lit up any room. Heaven is welcoming a great educator & dedicated matriarch. Blessings to all of Kayes family, Lisa & Tom & Tony
Mrs. Kemner was my third grade teacher at Monroe School….two things I will never forget about her class – learning the multiplication tables by reciting them out loud so our rocket ship could move from planet to planet until we made it through the whole Milky Way (earning said candy bar at the end) AND the day that a classmate lost the tip of his finger when it got pinched in one of the tip out windows in our classroom! I remember recounting that story when Mrs. Kemner was a volunteer at the Blessing Hospital information desk (with her pal Anne Pogge). She said it one of her memorable Monroe moments! I will always have such fond memories of this favorite teacher!