S. Margaret Van Kempen (1931-2012) High School Teacher, ArtistCollege Faculty
Sister Margaret (Rose Margaret) Van Kempen was born on February 13, 1931, to Hubers and Ida (Peerboom) Van Kempen in Morris Minnesota. She was the youngest of 14 children.
She graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a B.A. degree in biology in 1952 and entered the community. She was given the name Roderick when she entered the community and returned to her baptismal name in 1968.
Sister Margaret's ministry began with teaching science at Cathedral High School, St. Cloud. She became the science curriculum coordinator of earth science and science consultant for the St. Cloud Diocese, taking over the Louis W and Maud Hill Foundation Grant that was initiated by Sister Paschal Otto. She obtained a M.S. in natural science at UND, in Grand Forks in 1970, and an M.S. in geology from the University of Minnesota in 1980. Sister Margaret also attended St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN; St. Cloud State University; Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. and the University of California. She taught 24 years at the College of Saint Benedict and later at St. John's University, teaching science methods in the Education Department and was assistant professor of geology. Sister Margaret's s collections of rocks from Stearns and Benton include specimens 3 - 4 billion years old. She took both students and teachers on extensive field trips around Minnesota to view rocks that are visible from different time periods.
Sister Margaret was a dedicated scientist and a passionate artist. After 40 years in educational ministry, her retirement in 1997 freed her to plunge full-time into her passion for weaving, marbling, photography, card making, dyeing, and painting. Her works were exhibited at many meetings, conventions, and galleries. Her love affair with COLOR is clear in her legacy to the community, which includes seven sets of liturgical vestments, stoles and lectern covers, altar cloths, a funeral pall, and a purple-lavender runner for the Gathering Place table. Her profound love of beauty and creativity was her personal response to God's wonders in creation. She was commissioned by Centra Care Health System on a series of nature photographs, and at one point, 50 of her photos were matted and hung throughout the Centra Care Health Plaza and others with animals in the Pediatric Unit of the St. Cloud Hospital.
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