Leland “Lee” E. Kamps, 85, of Bonduel, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016.
Leland was born in Lena on Dec. 23, 1930, the son of the late Louis and Elsie (Behnke) Kamps. He was united in marriage to Joan Bouche on May 19, 1975, in Seattle, Washington.
Lee is survived by his wife, Joan; five children and their families, Allen (Shelly) Kamps, Shawano, and children Melinda, Tara, Bobbie and KC; Lee (Gina) Kamps, Appleton, and children Kasie, Ti and Terri; Melanie (Tony) Ferguson, Anchorage, Alaska, and daughter Ashley; Scott McKeever, Bonduel; and Stacy (Kent) Knueppel, Cecil, and children Dakota, Sajen and Cheyenne; and his legacy will continue through an increasing number of great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Louis Kamps, Berlin, Raymond (Rose Marie) Kamps, New London, Gerald (Sally) Kamps, Marinette, Roland (Sue) Kamps, Markesan, Elsie (Hugo) Sandelin, Maine, Hilbert (Janice) Kamps, Ohio, Ruth List, Pound, and Rita (Eddie) Van Sliedricht, Milwaukee; sister-in-law, Lorraine Kamps, East Troy; and brother-in-law, George Myhrvold, Beloit.
Lee attended schools in the Lena area and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He loved his Lord and strived to be a good and faithful servant each and every day of his life. At the age of 17, Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After boot camp, he attended submarine school in New London, Connecticut, and then reported to the USS Sea Leopard. Lee proudly served his country for seven years.
After the Navy, Lee returned to Wisconsin and became a policeman for the Milwaukee Police Department while attending Marquette University. Lee left the Police Department after four years of service and, with four of his brothers, worked for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, making them the largest single family group working for Northwestern Mutual Life at the time.
In 1975, Lee decided to head north and became the head chef for the Alaska Marine Highway on the vessel Matanuska. Lee and Joan returned to Wisconsin in 1983 and spent the next 25 years in the food industry, owning his own restaurants until retirement.
Being raised on a farm and experiencing the hardships of this endeavor, Lee was a lifelong champion for the farmer. Lee was passionate about the U.S. Constitution; he always carried copies in his shirt pocket to hand out to everyone and took great pleasure in engaging in a lively discussion about its contents and how they affected every American. Lee was a proud member of the American Legion for many years and a life member of the Bonduel VFW.
Lee’s most treasured times were those spent with his grandchildren, which he felt were his greatest gifts. He loved watching them in all activities, but especially on the basketball floor. He found so much joy in just having them near.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Elsie Kamps; brothers, Harvey Kamps, Verlin Kamps and Harold Kamps; sister, Irene Huettner; brothers-in-law, Richard List and Patrick Stollenwerk; and sisters-in-law, Marlene Kamps, Beverly Kamps, Dorothy Kamps and Phyllis Myhrvold.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Swedberg-Wendt Funeral Home in Bonduel. After living an incredible life, Lee will take his final journey this summer back to his beloved Alaska, where his ashes will be spread.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bonduel Volunteer Fire Department or Bonduel First Responders are appreciated.
Swedberg-Wendt Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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