Galen “Punkie” Hempel, age 68, of Franklin, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 24, 2020 at Hennepin Medical Center from complications not related to Covid-19. Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 at the United Methodist Church in Fairfax. The service will be broadcasted on the Stephens Funeral Service Facebook Page. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Saint John Lutheran Cemetery in Fairfax. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, GUESTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK and practice social distancing guidelines. A 50% indoor occupancy restriction will be maintained. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Galen “Punkie” Hempel was born August 29, 1951 to Alden and Alice (Riebe) Hempel in Echo, Minnesota. He was baptized on September 16, 1951 at the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Echo and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Morton. Punkie was united in marriage to Judy Bethke in March of 1969 in Sioux Falls, SD. Punkie was a semi-truck driver for over 30 years and was known for being a hard worker. In his free time he loved motorcycling, playing pool, watching nature shows on television, and listening to Conway Twitty music. Punkie especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. His sense of humor and being an all-around good guy will be deeply missed.

Galen is survived by his children Michael Hempel of Mapleton and Amy (Brandon) Stull of Mount Sterling, KY; grandchildren Dustin and Alexandria Hempel, Aubry Hempel-Benson, and Caelan Stull; great granddaughter Aaliyah Davis; and siblings Joyce Hempel of Slayton, Connie (Larry) Beauliou of Cass Lake, Rick (Deanna) Hempel of Franklin, Dawn Hempel of Kimball, SD, Perry (Gloria) Hempel of Kimball, SD, and Randy Hempel of Kimball, SD. He is preceded in death by his wife Judy, parents Alden and Alice, son Brian Hempel, grandson Gage Stull, siblings Clifford, Lee, Kevin, Larry, Michael, Michelle, Sherry, Scott, Engrid, and Debra, stepmother Jeanette Hempel, and stepfather Henrick Loken.