1934
Walter
2023
Walter Cornelius Empen Jr.
November 5, 1934 — September 12, 2023
Walter Cornelius Empen, Jr, age 88, of Maquoketa, IA passed away on September 12, 2023 at Jackson Ridge Nursing Home and spent several years at Clover Ridge Assisted Living in Maquoketa. A private family service will be held. Please no memorials.
Walter was born November 5, 1934 in Preston, IA, the son of Walter and Caroline (Trenkamp) Empen, Sr. He graduated from Preston High School and later served two years in the United States Army.
On November 25, 1959, Walter married Karen Neumann at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Preston. He operated Preston Ready Mix Corp. for many decades and truly loved his work and family. Walter enjoyed watching car racing and attended the Indianapolis 500 for 30+ years. One of his prize possessions was his 1975 Avanti car.
Walter is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Deborah (Thomas) Matthys, of Elk Point South Dakota; sons, Kevin (Tami) Empen, of Preston and Terry “Chuck” (Michelle) Empen, of Preston; four grandchildren, Olivia (Joe Nelson) Matthys, of Minneapolis, MN, Julia (Chris) Labbe, of Lincoln, NE, Kyle (Hannah) Empen, of Bettendorf, IA, and Kelly Empen, of Cedar Falls, IA; one great-grandchild, Cora Labbe; and four siblings, John Empen, of Maquoketa, Bertha Ballman, of Gravette, AR, Patricia Walke, of Maquoketa, and Alida Tetera, of Fairfield, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter, Sr. and Caroline; Clem Empen, Donald and Mary Empen, Marvin Ballman, Ben Tetera, and Johnny and Marie Zewald.
Walter was born November 5, 1934 in Preston, IA, the son of Walter and Caroline (Trenkamp) Empen, Sr. He graduated from Preston High School and later served two years in the United States Army.
On November 25, 1959, Walter married Karen Neumann at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Preston. He operated Preston Ready Mix Corp. for many decades and truly loved his work and family. Walter enjoyed watching car racing and attended the Indianapolis 500 for 30+ years. One of his prize possessions was his 1975 Avanti car.
Walter is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Deborah (Thomas) Matthys, of Elk Point South Dakota; sons, Kevin (Tami) Empen, of Preston and Terry “Chuck” (Michelle) Empen, of Preston; four grandchildren, Olivia (Joe Nelson) Matthys, of Minneapolis, MN, Julia (Chris) Labbe, of Lincoln, NE, Kyle (Hannah) Empen, of Bettendorf, IA, and Kelly Empen, of Cedar Falls, IA; one great-grandchild, Cora Labbe; and four siblings, John Empen, of Maquoketa, Bertha Ballman, of Gravette, AR, Patricia Walke, of Maquoketa, and Alida Tetera, of Fairfield, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Walter, Sr. and Caroline; Clem Empen, Donald and Mary Empen, Marvin Ballman, Ben Tetera, and Johnny and Marie Zewald.
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