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.


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I am so sorry to see of your passing, but now you and Rosemary will be able to once again enjoy each other's company.
I so remember sitting at your kitchen table and eating your pie and having you enjoy our stories of Hawk Bilt and company along with your innovations for them and for the Black Machine.
It was forgotten in your notice about how you and Rosemary used to love watching the Antiques Roadshow.
I have been up to your Vinton house neighborhood in the past month and wondered about stopping to see if you were still around the area, but I guess I was too late for that, but I wanted you to know that you were well thought of and remembered for being such a wonderful person for all of us.
Bruce A. Gardner