Susan “Sue” Kemp, 79, of Estero, FL, passed away on February 14, 2026 after a 12-year battle with leukemia, with her family by her side. The family is planning a private entombment service in Dubuque, IA, with a celebration of life to be held at a future date.

Sue was born on October 18, 1946 in Dubuque, IA, the daughter of Donald and Betty Briggs. She graduated from St. Patrick’s Grade School in 1960, and high school in 1964 at The Mound in Sinsinawa, WI. Sue spent much of her life in Dubuque, where she met James “Jim” Kemp. They were married on July 20, 1985 at the Dubuque Shooting Society. Together they raised a blended family of seven children and shared 40 wonderful years, making homes in Dubuque, the Chicago area, Scottsdale, AZ, and most recently Estero, FL.

Sue dedicated more than 30 years of her career as an executive assistant at CyCare Systems and FDL Foods in Dubuque, and the Deerpath Group in Deerfield, IL. Later, she served as Special Events Coordinator at Holy Family Catholic Schools in Dubuque, where she found great fulfillment in supporting Catholic education; she organized and chaired their annual Gala which later became Circle of Celebration, raising funds for Dubuque Catholic schools. She retired in 2011.

Though she valued her work, Sue truly cherished her time with family and friends. She and Jim loved exploring supper clubs, neighborhood dive bars, and local restaurants throughout the Midwest, Arizona, and Southwest Florida. Among her favorites were the Morocco Supper Club, Shot Tower Inn and the former Buddy’s Clubhouse in Dubuque; the Gilmer Road House in Mundelein, IL; Rusty’s and 8 Ball Lounge in Estero; and Jerod’s and the Lake Carroll Clubhouse in Lanark, IL. Wherever she went, Sue brought joy and laughter, and perhaps enjoyed a few Michelob Ultras. She made friends easily and was known for her smile that would light up a room with her laugh, and quick wit. From the very first meeting, Sue had a way of turning acquaintances into lifelong friends.

Sue loved to travel, enjoying Caribbean cruises, trips to Europe, a recent adventure to Costa Rica, and many summers at her family’s lake home at Lake Carroll, IL. She treasured visiting her children and grandchildren across the Midwest and looked forward to family gatherings—especially the annual Kemp Family Christmas celebration that she loved hosting. She enjoyed movies, playing euchre, Jimmy Buffett concerts, shopping on QVC, garage sales, flea markets,Tuesday morning calls with her granddaughter, “Peanut”, chocolate in all forms, and her favorite iPad games. She was a former member of the Dubuque Golf & Country Club and Thunder Hills Country Club, and a current member of S.N.O.T.s.

Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband, Jim; her seven children: Kelly (Michele) Mudge of Ankeny, IA; Amy (Robert) Larson of Livonia, MI; Kelly (Joseph) Roth of Madison, WI; Karla Bridgeman of Hugo, MN; Timothy (Brandy) Kemp of Chicago, IL; Kerry (James) Griffin of Downers Grove, IL; and her favorite, Loren (Jeanne) Kemp of Valparaiso, IN; her 17 grandchildren: Ryan and Adam Mudge; McKinzie (Alex) Beatty; Alex Larson; Charles (Madison), Audrey and Lillian Roth; Henry and Megan Bridgeman; Bennett Kemp; Louis, Franklin, Theodore and Elizabeth Griffin; and Margaret, Hayden and Delaney Kemp; and her two great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Molly Beatty. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Thomas (Carla) Kemp; niece, Amy (Josh) Printz; nephew, Bradley (Caitlyn) Kemp; her favorite euchre partner, Bob Chapman; and her favorite plant, Donald.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Betty Briggs; her parents-in-law, Kenneth and Doris Kemp; and her son-in-law, Andrew “Sidge” Bridgeman.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL, for their expert care and compassion throughout Sue’s illness. Because of their dedication—and Jim’s unwavering love and caregiving—Sue was able to share many more precious years with those she loved.