Kempthorne’s mother dies at 87 in her hometown in California

BOISE – Maxine Kempthorne, mother of Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, died Monday in her hometown of Beaumont, Calif. She was 87.

The governor credited his mother with inspiring him to fight for better long-term care policies for the nation’s aging population.

She had suffered a stroke and required constant care, which was provided by her husband, Jim Kempthorne, despite his own battle with macular degeneration.

“They are fiercely independent and want to maintain their home. They are not unlike families in every community across our country,” Kempthorne said last year.

Maxine Kempthorne once worked as a secretary for the Nebraska Legislature.

Funeral services will be held in Beaumont on Sunday, and a private burial ceremony will be held in Boise on Tuesday.