LaVerne Mae Kampmeier

LaVerne Mae Kampmeier, 94 of Lena, passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Manor Court in Freeport, IL. She was born on January 30, 1931 in Rockford, IL. to Clinton and Marie (Bier) Royster. LaVerne attended school in Freeport, growing up on High Street. In her younger years, she worked as a carhop at Millers Drive Inn, before it was A & W, and met the love of her life, Eugene Kampmeier. They married on January 2, 1949. Following a month long honeymoon to Miami, they settled in Freeport and she found employment at S.S. Kresge Five & Dime Store. They moved to Pearl City and started a family, later moving to Lena. To this union, three children were born: Connie, Cindy, and Steven. In addition to raising her family, after the children were older, she went to work at Heine Plastics, and later at Newell Manufacturing, where she retired after over 30 years as a clerk in the shipping department.

Together, they traveled many consecutive years to the same resort near Siren, Wisconsin, and several trips to Florida, but always driving there. Garage Sales were a favorite thing for them to do.

After her husband passed away, she took several trips, including Hawaii, Switzerland, England and Australia, since he never wanted to fly. She loved going to Tama and Green Bay on the gambling buses, but also would try her luck at some local establishments. She took time to visit many people in nursing homes, enjoyed making afghans, doing word search puzzles, playing Bingo and card games.

She was a member of St John’s Lutheran Church, first in Pearl City and then in Lena. She enjoyed helping with the annual beef noodle dinner at the Lena St. John’s Lutheran Church. Also, she was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary in Freeport.

Survivors include two daughters, Connie Loberg , Cindy (Gary) Cross; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Kampmeier; a brother, Duain Royster; and a sister-in-law, Janis Kampmeier. Her grandchildren are David (Andrea) Loberg, Scott (Angela) Loberg, and Lori (Darrel) Stukenberg, Thomas and Karl Kampmeier. Great grandchildren are Jenna & Dylan Stukenberg; Cassidy, Ceanna, Mia, and Melody Loberg. She has two great-great grandsons, Aiden and Braylon. She has many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Preceding her in death were her parents, husband in 1999, a son, Steven, and a son-in-law Richard Loberg.

Visitation and funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. The visitation will be from 9 – 11, and funeral at 11 AM. Pastor Jason Shaw will be officiating, with David Offerman assisting. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Liberty Village for their compassionate care during her time there and also, the caring FHN Hospice team. A memorial fund has been established.