Clarence Kampsen

Clarence J. "Kelly" Kampsen, age 94 of Elrosa, died Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the CentraCare Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Stang officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday morning at the church.

Clarence Joseph Kampsen was born September 5, 1918 in Elrosa, Minnesota to Bernard and Catherine (Petermeier) Kampsen. On July 15, 1941 he was united in marriage to Ledwina Weinmann at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. Clarence farmed neared Elrosa for 30 years and began working as a carpenter after moving into Elrosa in 1970. He enjoyed playing baseball. Clarence organized and played on the first Elrosa baseball team and played first base. In 2010, he was inducted into the Elrosa Baseball Hall of Fame.

After retirement, Clarence remained active by going fishing, going out to eat, and meeting people for coffee. He continued watching sports on television, especially baseball and golf, and also enjoyed watching local town baseball games. In 2007, Clarence moved into the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa.

Survivors include his children, Halbert (Kathy) Kampsen of Elrosa, Robert (Karen) Kampsen of Elrosa, Betz Baldwin of St. Michael, Mutz Kampsen of St. Francis, and Gene (Roxane) Kampsen of Elrosa; 18 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren; brothers, Herman (Delores) Kampsen of Elrosa, Edwin (Lenora) Kampsen of Litchfield, and Ronald (Jan) Kampsen of Michigan; sisters, Loretta Meyer of Meire Grove, Verena (Joe) Olmscheid of Belgrade, and Marcella Burns of Clarissa; and daughter-in-law, Doris Kampsen of New London.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Ledwina in 2002; parents; son, Vern Kampsen in 1981; brothers, Fr. Fred Kampsen, Henry Kampsen, and Norbert Kampsen; and sisters, Nora Salmond and Rose Yarke.

Serving as casket bearers will be Cory Kampsen, Jason Kampsen, Paul Kampsen, Curt Kampsen, Wade Kampsen, Brian Kampsen, Kevin Kampsen, and Christopher Baldwin. Cross bearer will be Tim Kampsen and scripture bearer will be Angie Kulzer. Lector will be Chad Baldwin. Gift bearers will be Cheryl Lawinger, Amanda Ritter, and Keith Kampsen and servers will be Kendall Kampsen and Karsee Kampsen. Soloist will be Joel Roelike and Doug Kampsen with special music by Kelly's grandchildren.