John Richard Kamperschroer Sr. was born on September 24, 1931, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and grew up on a farm near Portland, Wisconsin, the youngest of ten children. Life on Thompson Ridge shaped him early – from walking to and from a one-room school during the Great Depression, faith, family, hard work, and resilience were simply part of daily life. He carried those traits with him throughout his 94 years.

After graduating from Cashton High School in 1949, John enlisted in the U.S. Army, determined to serve as his older brothers had. When war broke out in Korea, he served as a medic with the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division. He endured brutal winter conditions, fierce fighting, and one of the longest retreats in American military history. For bravery and wounds sustained in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. In later years, John remained devoted to the men he served with, attending reunions and staying in touch for as long as he could. In time, he became the sole surviving member of his platoon.

His experience as a medic sparked a lifelong calling to care for others. John became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and served patients for 40 years in hospitals across Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois. With a calm voice and reassuring presence, he had a gift for putting anxious patients at ease before putting them to sleep for surgery.

While in nursing school at St. Luke’s in Racine, he met Phyllis Boerger. They were married by Phyllis’ grandfather, Rev. J. F. Boerger, on December 27, 1957, and built a life defined by partnership and deep faith. Engraved inside John’s wedding band were the words from Mark 10:9: “What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” They were each other’s best friends: inseparable companions in marriage, parenting, church life, music, and life’s journey.

John was a steady, present father. He played catch, encouraged golf, school band and choir, financed small entrepreneurial ventures (with interest), and rarely missed a school, athletic, or church event. Summers meant fishing trips, Northwoods cabins, boating, campfires, and laughter with family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He loved simple, good things – a well-kept garden and immaculate lawn, a clean car, a good hand of cribbage, sheepshead or bridge, a stack of history books, a cold beer or Brandy Manhattan, following the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers, and harmonizing beside Phyllis in church and community choirs for more than 60 years. He could start a conversation with anyone and often proved that the world was smaller than it seemed.

Above all, John lived a life grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ. From his confirmation as a youth at Portland Lutheran Church, he and Phyllis faithfully attended church wherever they lived and raised their children in that same faith – a legacy that continues through generations.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis Kamperschroer; his children John Richard Kamperschroer Jr. (Tami) of Wheaton, IL; Michael Kamperschroer (Beth) of Arlington Heights, IL; Jean Hoger (Mark) of Cary, IL; and Aletta Jocius (Kevin) of Racine, WI; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John B. and Aletta (Berg) Kamperschroer, and siblings: Gilford Kamperschroer; Adelyn (Harold) Lovstad; Bernard Kamperschroer; Eva (Jake) Schaller; Irving (Doris) Kamperschroer; Lucille (Lou) Schmidt; Glenn (Helen) Kamperschroer; Irene (Ralph) Kraby; and Olive (Henry) Zebell.

Memorial services for John will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2065 Geneva Street, Racine, WI 53402. A visitation will be held on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Private inurnment with military honors will be held at Portland Lutheran Church Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Portland Lutheran Church - 7526 State Highway 33, Cashton, WI 54619 c/o Ron Brown