Gail Johnson moved to Rochester in 1921, attended Rochester High School and graduated with the class of 1935. Gail married Don Kemler in 1938. She was a member of the Rochester Community School Board, Rochester Historical Commission, Rochester-Avon Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Rochester Lions Club, and many more organizations. She helped establish the Helping Hands Food Pantry and was a local business owner and real estate agent.
In 2014, Gail was presented with the James Graham Award for Lifetime Achievement. And in 2017, when Gail Kemler was 99 years old, she was inducted into the Community Hall of Fame for Founder’s Day by the Rochester Hills Museum celebrating the Bicentennial of the City of Rochester.
Gail Evonne Kemler passed away March 28, 2024, at the age of 106. Loving wife of the late Donald G. Kemler, dear mother of James Kemler, Charles (Winifred) Kemler, the late David Kemler and Ruth (William) Hugo, beloved grandmother of Jennifer (Mark) Kaski, Mary (Mark) Clark, William Kemler, Paul Kemler, Matthew Kemler, Sarah (Michael) Tison, Katie McKenzie, Prescott (Kimberly) Kemler and Christiana (Jonathon) Hills, survived by 16 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Gail was predeceased by her 2 sisters and 1 brother.
READ: Gail Kemler Celebrates a Century to learn more about this amazing woman.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. with an instate time of 10:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1315 N. Pine, Rochester, where she has been a member for 93 years. The family will receive friends Friday, April 5, 2024, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Lions Club Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Blvd Rochester.
Memorials in Gail’s name may be made to the Neighborhood House Food Pantry or Leader Dogs for the Blind. Gail was the last surviving classmate of the Rochester High School class of 1935, was a volunteer extraordinaire and is included on the Rochester Hills Hall of Fame.
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