Lester Kampman, 92, passed away on June 8, 2026 at the Ed and Joan Hemphill Hospice Unit at St. Luke's Hospital. He was born on August 22, 1933, in Aplington, Iowa. 

 

On August 30, 1958, Lester married Rosemary Cottrell. They shared many years together until Rosemary's passing on February 1, 2025.

 

Lester is survived by his son, Steve (Janis) Kampman; his daughter, Jacki (Jerry) Michael; his 

grandchildren, Josh (Robin) Watson, Jenna (Andrew Burden), Ryan (Kristin) Lensing, Abby 

(Adam Campbell) Michael, and Christopher Michael; and his great-grandsons, Leo, Ray, and 

Jack Lensing. 

 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosemary; his parents, C. N. "Chris" Kampman and 

Anna (Cordes) Kampman; his sister, Donna Janssen and her husband, Bob; and his sister, 

Darlene Koobs and her husband, Jerry. 

 

Lester proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He also played 

minor league baseball for the St. Louis Browns and enjoyed playing the accordion in a polka 

band known as The Buckaroo Buddies. Throughout his life, he had a love for polka music, 

spending time fishing and taking fishing trips, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes football and 

basketball teams and watching the Chicago Cubs.

 

Online condolences may be directed to the family at iowacremation.comunder Obituaries.