Phyllis Kampas

Phyllis Jean (Fulwider) Kampas, 94, of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and formerly of Savanna, Illinois, passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the home of her son Bill. Born on October 24, 1926, and raised in Tipton, Iowa, Jean was the daughter of Roy and Enys (McDannold) Fulwider. She graduated from Tipton High School with the Class of 1944, and then earned her nursing degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa, in 1947. Her 50 plus year nursing career included employment at the Savanna City Hospital, in local doctors' offices, private duty nursing and was concluded with serving 26 years at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna.
Jean and Steve A. (Joe) Kampas were married on October 24, 1947, and were the parents of four children.

Jean was an avid sports fan. She was a life-long Cubs fan. A highlight in her life was the day grandson Brian and son Bill took her to Wrigly Field for a Cubs/White Sox game. Her other favorite was her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. Her TV usually was tuned into some kind of sporting event with college sports being her favorite. When she couldn't find a baseball, football, or basketball game to watch, she'd even settle for ping pong, golf, or bowling. She rarely missed watching the Kentucky Derby and Preakness horse races and enjoyed the Olympic figure skating competitions.

Jean also was an ardent reader and worked her daily crossword/word search puzzles, particularly enjoying Flower Power Crossword puzzles. She also liked to do embroidery work, and jigsaw puzzles. Jean faithfully remembered birthdays and anniversaries with cards and wrote letters to those she'd met along life's journey. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling with family and friends and especially road trips with her dear friend Evelyn Beck. She would joke about Evie's lead foot getting them to their destination in record time! She treasured her memories of family, friends, and her pets.

Jean is survived by her son Bill (Barb) of Elkhorn, WI, daughter-in-law Anita Kampas of Pekin, IL, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joe (1970), sons Steven (2019) and George (2016), infant daughter Deborah (1954) and her sister Marjorie (Fulwider) Tompkins and brother-in-law James Tompkins.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 9 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, with a grave-side service following at Savanna Township Cemetery. Memorial gifts made in Jean's name may be directed to Disabled American Vets.

The family would like to thank the St. Croix Hospice team for their loving care and support.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawjonesfuneralhome.com.