Edward A. Lampsa Jr.

1928 - 2025

Palmyra, WI - Edward A. Lampsa, Jr., 97, of Palmyra, WI, punched his final timecard on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Hearthstone in Whitewater - likely after making sure everyone there knew how to properly back up a semi truck.

Edward was born on July 22, 1928 in Milwaukee the son of Edward Lampsa, Sr. and Esther (Laine) Lampsa. He spent his early years perfecting the art of hard work in Genesee with his mother, step-father (Charles Perren), two brothers (Larry and Alvin) and sister (Jacqueline). Ed married the love of his life, Betty Jean Hooper, and they settled in Palmyra, where together they raised three kids - Diana, Roy, and John - all of whom learned early that Dad's way was "the highway." Literally.

At the ripe old age of 14, while most teens were just figuring out how to ride a bike, Ed was already driving trucks for Rueben A. Wachendorf Trucking. By 16, he was working full-time, and by 1952, he founded Major Transport, which grew to be a successful trucking company. After selling Major Transport in 1990, Ed just couldn't quit the open road, so he kept driving and teaching new drivers until age 95. That's right: he outdrove, outworked, and outlived many of his students. He would've kept going, but apparently, the DMV has "rules."

Later in life, he married his longtime friend Helen Dunshee, proving that even in his 70s, Ed was still out there living better than people half his age. They remained close friends until her death earlier this year.

He was proud of his Finnish heritage and his close, but geographically-dispersed, extended family. With his wife, Betty, he traveled all over the United States in one of many motorhomes he owned through the years, visiting and making friends as they went. For nearly a century, Ed has been a familiar face around Palmyra and he enjoyed nothing more than a cup of coffee with family and friends or a Green Bay Packer game. He was a member of the local flying club, earned his pilot's license and rarely missed the annual Palmyra Fly-In, which he helped launch in the 1960s. He was a loyal member of the Masonic Lodge for many decades. Ed was honored as Old Settler of the Year in 2017 by the Palmyra Historical Society - which is fancy talk for "he's been around forever, and most people like him." He will be remembered for his determination and his love for his family. Ed will be deeply missed by those he leaves behind.

He is survived by: two sons, Roy (Tamara) Lampsa of Florence, AZ and John (Ursula) Lampsa of Wales, WI; and his grandchildren, Nicole (Gary Hsueh) Lampsa of Dorado, Puerto Rico; Shannon (Kyle) Love of Rockford, MI; Evan Lampsa of Wales, and Lana Lampsa of Wales; and four great-grandchildren. Ed is also survived by his sister, Jacqueline (John) Van Willigen, of Lexington, KY. Ed is further survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ed reunites now with his beloved Betty, daughter Diana, brothers Al and Larry, and many old friends who've been waiting with a pot of coffee and maybe a deck of Major Transport cards.

A ceremony celebrating the life of Ed will be held at 11:30AM on March 28, 2026 at the Palmyra United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place from 10:00AM-11:30AM and a reception will take place after the ceremony. The exact location will be shared the week prior.

Gibson Family Funeral Homes of Palmyra and Eagle, WI is serving the family. To place an online condolence please visit gibsonfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, Ed would have appreciated a donation to the Palmyra United Methodist Church or the Palmyra Historical Society.