Leah Patricia (Pat) Kembel of Scottsbluff passed away on Friday, January 16th, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on January 25th, 1935, in Hemingford, Nebraska. Pat grew up on the farm near Hemingford and later near Alliance, Nebraska where she learned the values that shaped her and continue to shape the lives of her family: faith, family and hard work.
Pat graduated from Alliance High School in 1952.
In addition to her devoted roles as wife and mother, Pat worked various secretarial jobs over the years, as a librarian’s assistant at Scottsbluff Public Schools and as a bookkeeper for the family business, Kembel Sand and Gravel.
Pat was actively involved in her church, women’s bible studies, quilting and crafts clubs. She loved to play cards, dance and catch up with friends over coffee. Pat was one of the greats when it came to gardening, canning and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren.
Mom had a dry sense of humor, and her well-timed placement of vintage slang and old-fashioned sayings always got a laugh and are permanently ingrained in our memories.
Pat is preceded in death by her husband, John Kembel, her first husband Danny Hascall, her parents Chris and Pauline Guy and eight siblings.
Pat is survived by her three sons, Tim (Pam) of Greenwood Village, Colorado, Lon (Mary) of Scottsbluff, Cort of Castle Pines, Colorado; grandchildren (9) Kelley, Rebecca, Nikki, Erik, Leah Kaitlin, John, Joshua, Mia and Mya; great grandchildren (10) Jonathan, Waylon, Teagan, Gordon, Desmond, Wyatt, Samuel, Leonel, Mary and Penelope and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her beloved chihuahua, Pedro.
Family and friends are invited to attend Pat’s funeral service at First Presbyterian Church at 101 East 20th Street, Scottsbluff, Nebraska on Thursday January 29th at 10am. Inurnment to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s honor at the First Presbyterian Church in Scottsbluff. Fond memories, condolences and photos may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the Kembel family.
