Heaven gained another soul Suzanne Kamp, 84 of Batchtown, IL passed away on January 12, 2024. We are sure that Suzanne was running to meet her beloved son, Mark, granddaughter Jessica and husband Jim who proceeded her in death.
Suzanne was born March 22, 1939, to the late John & RosaLee Luttrell Boland in Alton, Il. Suzanne attended St. Mary’s and St. Ambrose grade schools and Marquette Catholic High School, where she loved to torment the nuns by smoking cigarettes in the restroom, and then jumping out the window only to be told on by the ladies at Millers Mutual.
Suzanne loved her kids and grandkids with all her heart. She is survived by sons Jeff & Debbie Kamp of Golden Eagle, IL; Scott & Courtney Kamp of Alton, IL; and Matt Kamp of Batchtown, IL and daughters Anne & Kenny Sturgeon of Carrollton, IL; Amy & Dave Hurley of Hardin, IL and daughter in law Sherry & Tony Friedel of Hardin, IL. Grandchildren Blake Kamp, Amanda (Mark) Tepen, Lacey (Greg) Steckel, Levi Kamp, Chancey (Justin) Vetter, Montana (Michael, fiancé) Brown, Shannon (Jason) Jackson, Alexandra (Andrew) Sievers, Cody (Lexi, fiancé) Steckel, Ellie (Tommy, fiancé) Sturgeon, Zachary (Jordan, fiancé) Hurley, Grace Sturgeon, Mallory Kamp, Austin Kamp, Jack Webster, Gabriella Hurley, Auggie Webster, Gage Kamp, Gwen Webster, and Jackson Hurley. Great grandkids Brynlie & Blair Tepen, Josie & Scarlett Steckel, Berkley Brown, Maevry & Cooper Vetter, August Steckel and Weston Sievers. A sister Mary & Ed Hoekstra, a brother Mike & Sharon Boland and in laws John & Anita Kamp, Greg & Agnes Kamp and wonderful nieces and nephews.
Suzanne worked for a time as a telephone operator before taking on her most rewarding job as a homemaker and mother. Suzanne always did the best with what she had, putting everyone ahead of herself. If you needed something, Suzanne was always there to do what she could. She was a shopper and gift basket connoisseur, a crafter of the highest magnitude, an antique upscaler before it was cool, she sewed and gardened when the kids were young and, loved to have fried chicken or roast beef on Sunday’s. Suzanne was a NASCAR fan in love with Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr, thought Elvis truly was the King, that Dolly could do no wrong and JFK was the best president EVER.
Over her life, Suzanne was involved in many activities. She was a proud leader of the Batchtown Lucky Clovers 4-H Club. When the Lucky Clovers made it to the State Fair, she loved watching them strut their stuff in the Share the Fun competition. If there was an event in Batchtown you would find Suzanne in the middle of the food stand or working an event for Modern Woodman of America. For many years, Suzanne was the St. Barbs Picnic Country Store Queen where you could find her homemade cinnamon rolls & crafts.
Suzanne was delighted to chaperone the Washington DC school trip with her grandkids, and many ‘adopted’ grandkids. She enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies, the Batchtown Alter Society and since she was not good at quilting, she enjoyed making lunch for the St. Barbs quilters so she could visit.
Suzanne was a consultant with Longaberger, to say she was infatuated was an understatement- there was not a basket or pottery piece she did not adore. She loved hosting parties, attending the Bee’s in Ohio, and even got to be a princess in the Longaberger Parade in Dresden, Ohio.
Suzanne loved to paint. If you stopped by Grandma’s, she was found sitting at the island in her painting shirt working on a masterpiece. If you have been graced with a ‘Suzie’ original, you are lucky. For years, Suzanne ran the Art Hall at the Calhoun Apple Festival. She loved working with her son, Matt to get the hall ready to highlight local art.
Suzanne started Personally Yours Catering in the 80’s with Jane Mager and then continued the business with her dear friend, Diane Baalman. People loved to see them catering because they knew the food would be delicious. Together they served thousands of pounds of mashed potatoes, roast beef and mostaccioli at weddings, banquets, and gatherings.
With their success in catering, they ran the Apple Shed Restaurant, bringing the place back to life. Diners near and far enjoyed their home cooking with a great dining experience. The days were long, but they were rewarded with large weekend crowds.
When Suzanne’s youngest was in high school, she went to work at the Calhoun Nursing Home as the dietary manager until the Great Flood of 93’ destroyed the facility. During the rebuild, Suzanne worked at Blu Fountain Nursing Home in Godfrey before returning to Calhoun until her retirement in 2007.
After, Jim passed traveling became her passion going with anyone who was going. Suzanne and her sister Mary enjoyed a wonderful trip to Ireland, where you can bet Suzanne kissed the Blarney Stone. Camping with the ‘Southern IL Chapter of Loaners on Wheels’ with Mary Lee Rose, her childhood friend, brought her much joy. Together they traveled throughout the Midwest, taking a cross country RV trip traveling from Illinois to Arizona to Alabama and then to the Florida Keys; because they thought they were the closest they were ever going to get. On their way home they stopped in Plains, Georgia to stalk her favorite former President, Jimmy Carter. They were reported to have come face to face with the secret service in a golf cart!
While every day at Grandma’s was great fun, the holidays were impressive. The house was always decorated, cookies baked, food was just minutes away and the comfort that comes with things done with love was felt by all. We have highlighted Suzanne in words the best we can, while she was far from perfect, she was a mom, grandma, great grandma, sister, aunt, friend that we were all blessed to know.
Suzanne was preceded in death by Jim, Mark, and Jessica, her parents as well as her brother, John D. Boland, sister-in-law Jackie Boland, in laws Tobias Jr and Bea Kamp, Dave and Blanche Kamp, Ann Marie and Bruce Odneal, Winnie Druba, Leona & Curt Haselhorst, Margie & Jim Keraghan, Ruth & Kick Haug and beloved niece Sandy Speciale and nephews Kenny Kamp, Jimmie Haselhorst and Herman Taylor.
Visitation will be from 5-8pm Friday, January 19, 2024, at Gress, Kallal and Schaff Funeral Home in Hardin. Father Roberts will officiate the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2024, at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church in Hardin, with burial to follow at Cresswell Cemetery in Golden Eagle, IL.
Memorials can be made to the Calhoun County Fair-Art Hall, St. Norbert’s School or the Franke Ballpark in Batchtown, IL.
Online Condolences maybe given at www.kallalandschaaf.com.
