Kevin W. Empey

Kevin Empey, 60, of Cambridge, Minnesota passed away on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024.

Kevin was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 9th, 1964, to William Norman Empey and Carol Ann Hennes. He graduated from Forest Lake High School in 1983 and began working as a fishing guide at Malmo Inn, a job that fueled his lifelong passion for fishing. In 1986, Kevin married Gina Borstner, and together they had two children, Melinda Anne Empey and Nicholas Kevin Empey. His children were the greatest joys of his life.

In 1990, Kevin met his love, Gina Starr, and they were married in 1999 at Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur, Illinois. The couple made their home in Ham Lake, Minnesota and later Cambridge, Minnesota. Their home was a gathering place for neighborhood kids who joined them for badminton games and holiday celebrations. Their family was later completed with the addition of Buck, a black lab who brought much love and joy to their lives.

A true outdoorsman, Kevin enjoyed fishing, camping, duck hunting, deer hunting, and playing darts. He and Gina shared a strong bond, working together as a team on various projects. They grew flourishing gardens, canned vegetables, made salsa, and painted ornaments. Kevin’s intricately painted Santa Clauses and snowmen became a beloved tradition and keepsake for the family.

Kevin’s dedicated craftsmanship was evident in his career as a custom cabinet maker. He worked for Quality Woodworking before founding his own business, Custom Design Woodworking, in 1991. He took great pride in creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind furniture and cabinetry. His family home featured three custom kitchens in oak, maple, and hickory, each a testament to his skill and love for his craft.

In 1998, Kevin’s health began to decline, and he experienced unexplained and painful symptoms. After many years of misdiagnoses, Kevin and Gina discovered the cause: Lyme disease and multiple co-infections, contracted from a deer tick bite. While Kevin’s health deteriorated, he continued to fight through his illness, running his business and supporting his family. Tragically, Kevin faced many hardships, including a house fire in 2008 and the heartbreaking death of his dog Babe.

Despite these challenges, Kevin found strength in his faith and never gave up. His grandchildren, Levi, Raelynn, and Rylee, brought him immense joy, and he cherished the time he spent with them. He especially loved playing cards and Uno, often teasing them with a playful spirit that made every moment special. The birth of Rylee filled his heart with love and pride, and he created many happy memories with his grandchildren that he held dear.

Kevin is preceded in death by his father, William Empey. He is survived by his beloved mother, Carol Ann Rosiere (Ray); his former wife and best friend, Gina Empey; his children, Melinda Schwabenbauer (Matt) and Nicholas Empey; his three grandchildren, Levi Chappell, Raelynn Chappell, and Rylee Empey; as well as his siblings, Kim Empey, Brian Empey (Lisa), and Denise Hayden (Patrick).

Kevin was born and raised in the Catholic Church. Despite the suffering he endured, he never lost faith in God, and his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who loved him. A celebration of life will be planned for the spring, and details will be shared with family and friends at that time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Minnesota Lyme Association in Kevin’s honor, supporting the ongoing fight against Lyme disease.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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