Mary Louise Kampmeier

Mary Louise "Mary Lou" (Schlickman) Kampmeier, 92, passed away peacefully in her home of 60 years on Saturday August 12, 2023. Born February 26, 1931 in Dubuque, Iowa to Leander "Andy" and Helen Schlickman, Mary Lou attended Muldoon High School in Rockford. While growing up, Mary Lou, her two brothers Gene and John, and her sister Pat lived above and helped out at Tydee Dydee, her parent's laundry service on North Madison Street. During high school, Mary Lou met Jim Kampmeier while he was attending St Thomas High School. After high school, Mary Lou worked as a secretary at Blue Star Potato Chips. Shortly after marrying Jim in 1952, the couple moved to St Louis where Jim served in the Army and they delivered Daniel, their first child. Although their time in St Louis was brief, Mary Lou caught the St Louis Cardinals baseball bug that sparked her lifelong love of the team.
Returning to Rockford, Mary Lou and Jim had another five children who they raised in their homes on Gorham Place and Larkspur Drive. As the kids grew, Mary Lou and Jim enjoyed summers with friends and family on the Door County peninsula and family vacations out West. They spent many Sundays exploring Lake Geneva and having brunch at the Abbey Resort. She enjoyed organizing family and neighborhood pool parties and hosting bridge parties with Jim and their friends. She especially enjoyed making pies for the family and being entertained by the likes of Elvis. In her later years, Mary Lou cherished time spent with her dear friends as their circle of spouses and friends dwindled.
Mary Lou is loved by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Everyone who spent time with Mary Lou was taken by her gentle and engaging personality. She loved to tell stories about her youth and the ups and downs of raising six children while Jim was away on business traveling the world. She was never at a loss to appreciate the humor in everyday situations. Although Mary Lou was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma nearly 30 years ago, she beat the cancer, led an active life, and continued to have a clear mind and sharp wit. Mary Lou's stamina and devotion to family was in full display as she participated in her granddaughter Kayla's wedding a few weeks prior to her passing. Her ability to remain so active during her last several years was made possible by the support and companionship provided by Shari, her live-in caregiver. Our family is forever grateful to Shari for her role in Mary Lou's life.
Mary Lou is survived by six children: Dan (Gail) Kampmeier of Savoy, IL, Nancy Kampmeier of Loves Park, Matt Kampmeier of Port Washington, WI, Katie (Adrian) Lorentson of Rockford, Phil (Sonja) Kampmeier of Roscoe, IL, and Chris (Donna) Kampmeier of Defiance, MO; Eight grandchildren: Jaclyn (Toshio) Suzuki of Portland, Lindsey (Ben Epstein) Kampmeier of Los Angeles, Ray Kampmeier of Portland, Kelly (Jim) Palmer of Minneapolis, AJ Lorentson of Rockford, Casey Kampmeier of Channahon, IL, Kayla (Wyatt) Stockton of Rockford, and Aaron Kampmeier of Seattle; Four great grandchildren: Masa and Stella Suzuki and Vera and Margot Epstein. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, James, her siblings, Pat Webner, John Schlickman, and Gene Schlickman, parents, Leander "Andy" and Helen Schlickman, and her beloved grandson, Shawn Kampmeier.
Funeral service will be at 1 PM Saturday, August 26, at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 2nd Ave, Rockford. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 12:45 PM prior to the service. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mary Lou's name to the American Cancer Society 4312 E State St Rockford, IL 61108. To share a memory or condolence visit olsonfh.com.