Dolores Grace (James) Hempe, 96, Jefferson City, passed away on July 12, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on Jan. 19, 1930, to the late Marvin and Opal James near Vienna.
She met the love of her life, John (Jack) Oliver Hempe after moving to St. Louis following her graduation from Vienna High School in 1947.
Dolores and Jack were united in marriage on June 11, 1949.
They lived in St. Louis until 1959, when they moved to Jefferson City, where she lived for the rest of her life.
Dolores loved to play golf and was the club champion at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club 16 times between 1974 and 1991. She was also an avid bridge player and enjoyed gardening, baking homemade bread, reading novels, playing games and going to the ocean. Most of all she loved her family and loved nothing more than to have a house full of family talking, laughing, and playing games together.
Dolores was preceded in death by husband of 63 years, John; parents, Marvin and Opal; and siblings, David, Joe James and Mary Alice.
She is survived by children, Pam Hempe Jaegers, Jim Hempe, Mary Hempe Dingus, John Hempe, Rick Hempe and Sandy Hempe and their spouses; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her cremains will be buried next to those of her husband Jack in the James Community Cemetery outside Vienna at a future date, possibly in September, in conjunction with a Celebration of Life.
She will be missed very much and lovingly remembered by her family.
