Gerald (Jerry) E. Kamps, age 90, of Brodhead, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at his home in Brodhead, WI. He was born on February 8, 1934 on a farm West of Browntown, WI, The son of LeRoy and Winifred (Hull) Kamps. He married Caroline H. Jones on December 28, 1958 at the Brodhead United Methodist Church.
Jerry served in U.S. Army 1956 – 1957. He was honorable discharged, returned home to Albany, WI. Jerry worked at the Goldenrod Creamery, before purchasing the farm west of Brodhead. Which Jerry and Caroline farmed for 7 years, and then he started working at General Motor in Janesville, WI., until he retired 1994. May 17, 1967 Jerry and Caroline purchased the old Zuercher cheese factory property outside of Brodhead, WI. Where he built the home and moved his family in February 1969. where he lived and passed away peacefully for 55 years.
In 1975, Jerry and Caroline purchased land in Alma Center, WI. Where he built his second house and he spent years of vacationing, landscaping, and hunting. Jerry loved collecting trains, vintage rifles and hand guns, John Deer Tractors, coin collecting, working in his yards, gardening and had planted over 150 types of Daylilies. He would raise, sell, and donate his daylilies to several charities. Jerry was involved in several charities and help fundraising for Military Veterans, Cancer and Church events over the years. He loved spending time with all his family, immediate, extended, and especially his granddaughters, Samantha Kamps, LaCross, WI and Jessica Kamps, Janesville, WI. Who spent a lot of time as kids growing up with their grandparents. Jerry would always stop what he was doing and talk with everyone, even while working in his yards. He always had time for family, neighbor, and even passer byes that always stopped to talk about his flowers and landscaping while he was outside. He enjoyed all people and loved all children.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Caroline; Children, Jane E Kamps, Atlanta, GA, & Brodhead, WI, JoAnn (Joseph) Steuri, Brodhead, WI; Sister, Nancy Bohan, Quincy, IL; Brother-in-Law, LaMerl Hammon, Evansville, WI whom he had special friendship with. Sister In Laws, Ruth (Conway) Kamps, Brodhead, WI; Carol Kamps, Monroe, WI; Former daughter in laws, that continued to be close to Jerry; Teresa (Chesney) Kamps, LaCross, WI; Carrie (Kamps) Wendelshafer, Monroe, WI; Sons, Tom Kamps, Jim (Deb) Kamps, Brodhead, WI. Grandchildren: Samantha Kamps, LaCross, WI; Jessica Kamps, Janesville, WI; Justin Kamps,WI. Kimberly Woelky. NC, Great grandchildren: Taylin, Braylynn, Graysan, A’Rhyah, Kaylee, Orion, Kreed. Novaleigh and Elsie. Including several nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces, and nephews.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Winifred (Hull) Kamps, two brothers, Richard and Ronald Kamps, three sisters, Betty (Estel) Baker, Ruth (Charles) Lenz (Donald) Coplien, Judy Mattison, Brother-in-law, James Boham, Aunt, Ethel Kamps, Albany, WI and his sister-in-law, Christine Hammon, Evansville, WI. Whom he was very close to both. Including Neice, Vicki L. Anderson, Nephews, Eugene Lenz, Randy Kamps, and other family and friends that held special place with Jerry.
Visitation will be from 9:30am – 11:00am, Funeral 11:00am-12:00pm at DL Newcomer funeral Home, on Saturday, March 30, 2024, Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Brodhead, WI and Memorial Luncheon will be held at Kelch Airport Museum event hall 1:30pm – 4:30pm.
All memorial donations may be made out directly to Caroline Kamps.
www.dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com 608-897-2484
