Ida Kempel Obituary

Ida Mae was born on Good Friday, April 6, 1928, to John and Mary (Perius) Bergman in Langdon, North Dakota. She went to school at St. Alphonsus School in Langdon from grades 1-12. The priests and nuns of the school gave each student a bible and taught from it. They, along with her mother, planted the incredible seeds of faith that would carry Ida throughout her life.

Ida met her future husband Walter when she was working at a diner in Langdon. Walter was on leave from the Army Air Force, came into the diner, and the two instantly clicked. They dated while Walter was home on leave and wrote to each other after he returned to his base. Upon graduating high school in 1946, Ida moved with her mother and younger siblings to join the rest of her family that had moved to Alameda, California. She attended Holy Names College in Oakland after arriving in California.

Walter followed her to California after he returned from the Air Force and asked her to marry him. They were married in 1948 at St. Joseph's Church (now Basilica) and had their first child in November of 1949. They went on to raise 8 more children together in Alameda.

Ida was always involved in her community, especially the church congregation. She was involved in her faith community as a Eucharistic Minister, a Lecturer, a leader of the Charismatic prayer group, a member of the Carmelites and Bible study groups. Ida also participated in St. Joseph school PTA, a writer's group, Penwomen, a bowling league, and served as a volunteer for hospice. She was able to travel around the world to places like Rome, Medjugorje and Mexico to name a few. She had embarked on a pilgrimage on September 10, 2001, and found herself and her group stranded in Turkey the following morning, 9/11. She had quite an adventure just trying to get back home.

Writing was one of Ida's many gifts. She authored several books and short stories and helped other authors with their writing projects. Her award-winning book "What was in Jeremy's Egg?" is used in countless Easter Sunday sermons throughout the world. Other books tell of how her faith carried her through her family's tragedies and triumphs.

Ida's loving nature, beautiful smile and always-positive attitude will be missed. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. Her faith was at the forefront of her life and was exhibited in everything she did. She was a dedicated prayer warrior who could be counted on to pray for you, counsel and console you during your darkest times, and enlist other prayer warriors to join her on your behalf. She was truly a gift from God to us, and we were blessed to have her here for almost 98 years.

She will be deeply missed by her children Charlene (Gary), Michael (Theresa), Robert (Mary), Karen (Steve), Annette (John), and Rachel, sisters Dolores and Elizabeth, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter, daughter Mary Jo, and sons Lawrence and Paul (Mary).

Rosary will be held on Wednesday, February 4th at 5:30 pm at St. Joseph's Basilica, 1109 Chestnut St., Alameda, CA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Basilica on Thursday, February 5th at 11:00am

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Basilica.

Private interment at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hayward.