Noralene Sempert

Noralene Sempert, 90, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014 with her loving family by her side at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, with Pastor Noah Headrick officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, on Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Noralene’s guestbook may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com.  Noralene was born May 7, 1924 in Arden, MI to William & Edith (Brunke) Zech.  On February 27, 1954 Noralene was married to Warren “Bud” Sempert in St. Joseph, MI. She worked as a bookkeeper at Ollie’s for over 20 years. Noralene was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and also spent time volunteering at the Berrien County Youth Fair. She enjoyed the challenge of puzzle books and especially loved attending her granddaughter’s sporting events. Noralene had a wonderful sense of humor and was a caring individual who liked sharing new things with her family and friends. She was blessed to live such a long and fulfilling life.  She is survived by her daughter, Bekki (Steve) Lund of St. Joseph; son, Douglas “Doug” Sempert of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Sarah Lund of St. Joseph and Megan Lund of Holland; and sisters, Susanna Thompson, Edith Hanover, Mildred Kasischke and Alice Troutman.  She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Bud on February 21, 1992, son Scott Sempert on January 28, 2003, and siblings Franklin Zech, Andrew Zech, Evelyn Pierman, Laura Greiger, Lillian Knuth and Lloyd Zech.