Susanne Durlinka Kampstra

Susanne Durlinka Kampstra, 80, passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, surrounded by her family. A lifelong Wisconsinite, Susanne was born on December 26, 1944, in Reedsburg, to Durlin and Dorothy Pawlisch. She graduated from Oregon High School and attended college at UW-Platteville where she met her husband of 60 years, Ronald Kampstra.

Sue ran a licensed daycare in her home in Watertown for 25 years blessing numerous children with her nurturing care. She loved children and was great with babies. While working, she enjoyed spending time at their Lake Nakomis A-frame in Tomahawk year-round. The A-frame cottage was remodeled and expanded into their full-time residence after retirement. Sue enjoyed lake life, going out on the pontoon boat, jet skiing, and her cats. Sue was a compassionate soul with a sense of humor, a love of cooking, and an enthusiastic Packer fan. Sue loved to travel, especially to beach destinations where walking the beach and looking for unique shells were a favorite past time. Favorite destinations were Florida and the Carolinas. Cruises to the Alaskan inside passage, Panama Canal, and the Hawaiian islands were special experiences. Sue was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tomahawk and volunteered in the learning center. Early in their membership at Redeemer Lutheran, Sue noticed the church didn’t have a steeple. She got on the computer and located a free steeple in Madison. Sue and Ron drove down with the trailer, loaded up the steeple, and drove it back to Tomahawk.

Susanne is survived by her husband, Ronald; her children, Paul (Trendi) Kampstra, Kristin (Brian) Potts, and Michael (Amy) Kampstra; her grandchildren, Bradon (Janelle) Kampstra, Kiran and Noemi Potts, and Atia and Renata Kampstra; her great-grandsons, Rory and Scottie Kampstra; as well as her brother, Peter (Juanita) Pawlisch. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Durlin and Dorothy Pawlisch; and her sisters, Elizabeth Braith and Penelope Nelson.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Aug.9, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomahawk, at 11 a.m. Rev. Mark Gass will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Redeemer Learning Center, 16 Theiler Dr, Tomahawk. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.

“And now abideth faith hope and love, these three; and the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13