1932 - 2025
Mrs. Rita Nicholson Kemp passed away peacefully at Innisfail, Alberta on June 23, 2025 at the age of 92 years, she was 13 days shy of her 93 birthday.
She was born in Lacombe to Judson and Christina Archibald and raised on the family’s farm fifteen miles west of Ponoka. She attended the Olds School of Agriculture, taking Home Economics, where she met the love of her life, Gerry Kemp. After their marriage, Rita and Gerry settled on the farm west of Innisfail, where they raised their six children. In 2011, Gerry and Rita moved to town and in 2021 she moved into Autumn Grove Lodge.
Rita will be lovingly remembered by her son, Rick (Wendy) Kemp of Innisfail, her daughter, Kerri (Ross) Towers of Red Deer, her daughter, Chris (Jim) Donner of Innisfail, and her son, Tim (Robin) Kemp of Victoria, her daughter, Debb (Roger) Peters of Valleyview, and her son, Owen (Joyce) Kemp of Innisfail, her sixteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. She will also be sadly missed by her twin sister, Lita Reid of Didsbury, sisters-in-law, Jackie Hodges of Innisfail, and Beatrice Kemp of Edmonton and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Rita was predeceased by husband Gerry, her brothers John and George, her sisters Jean, Mary, Marion and her twin Margaret; parents Judson and Christina Archibald.
A Celebration of Rita’s Life will be held at the Innisfail United Church, 4720 - 48 Ave. Innisfail, Alberta on July 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. If you unavailable to attend the Celebration of Life for Rita, you may go to innisfailuc.org, a link will be visible for the service just prior to 2:00 p.m. If so desired memorial donations can be made to the Innisfail United Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
