- Dean Thomas Kamps, 87, of Menasha, went home to the Lord on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. He died at St. Elizabeth Hospital following brain surgery.
Dean was born in Appleton on April 16, 1926, the son of the late Herman and Hazel (Dean) Kamps. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army Infantry. Dean was united in marriage to Virginia "Ginny" Van Ryzin on June 23, 1948. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their entire family present. Prior to his retirement, Dean was a paper machine operator with Bergstrom Paper Company in Neenah. He was a very active volunteer in his lifetime-coaching his children in various sports, including Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball. He volunteered at the Food Pantry, the Salvation Army, St. Elizabeth Hospital and was an active member with the Kiwanis Golden K Club.
He was a man of faith and honored God and his country. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, the Packers, the BADGERS, and John Wayne. He also gave out the best bear hugs ever and we will all miss those. Dean and Ginny loved to travel and visited Hawaii, Europe, Canada and most of the United States. They held season tickets for the Wisconsin Badgers, traveling to Madison for all home games and to many away games, as well as Bowl Game appearances.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia; four children: Kristine Manteuffel, Appleton; Patricia (Robert) Collar, Little Chute; Sandra (Jeffrey) Krueger, Appleton; and Steven (Faith) Kamps, Madison; grandchildren: Greg (Lisa) Manteuffel, Brad (Kim) Manteuffel, Scott (Amy) Manteuffel, Beth (Brendan) Fahrenkrug, Chad (Jennifer) Collar, Bryan (Rebecca) Collar, Adam Collar, Andrew Krueger (girlfriend Jenna), Michael (Courtney) Krueger, Amy (Rob) Santiago, Zachary Kamps and Joshua Kamps; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters: Mary Jane Kamps, Helen Sanderson and Vivian Meinert and their respective spouses. He was also preceded in death by his father and mother in-law, Clarence and Lucille Van Ryzin and several sisters and brothers in-law.
A memorial mass for Dean will be celebrated Friday, September 27, 2013, 11:00 a.m., at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 1617 W. Pine St., Appleton, with Fr. Dennis Ryan officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. Friday until the hour of mass at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in his honor.
The family would like to thank the ICU and 4th floor staffs at St. Elizabeth Hospital for the compassionate care and help given to Dad.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent from September 25 to September 26, 2013
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1926 - 2013 (87 years)
Military Service
