Mary Kampmeier

Mary Kampmeier, age 83, of Delano, MN, passed away on July 3, 2026, in Waconia, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Father Shawn Polman will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9, from 5 :00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home in Graceville. A scripture and rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday, one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed, recorded, and viewable below this obituary.

Mary Virginia (Drewicke) Kampmeier was born on October 31, 1942, at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville, MN, to Joseph and Jane (Campbell) Drewicke. Mary was baptized and confirmed at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Barry, MN, and became a church organist in her parish at the bright young age of eight-years-old. Mary attended St. Mary’s Academy in Graceville through her junior year until its closure and consolidation with the public school. She graduated as the salutatorian of her class from Graceville High School in 1960 and went on to attend the University of Minnesota, Morris, as a member of the first senior class of UMM. Mary graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English.

Following graduation, Mary taught English at the high school in Madison, MN. In 1965, Mary met Earl Kampmeier, her loving husband of 58 years. They were married on November 4, 1965, in Barry, MN. She was joined in love and in life with Earl and three daughters, Mary Beth, Laurie, and Susan. Together, they were blessed with an additional seven children: Jennifer, Earl, Jr.“Andy”, Stephanie, Virginia, Anna, Celina, and Fredericka. Mary was a natural teacher, but she embraced her true vocation as a mother and poured her heart into supporting her children’s physical, intellectual, and faith development. Mary loved her family, and their happiness and well-being were always at the forefront of her every action.

Mary and Earl formed a strong and united team, and family was always their priority. Together, they worked hard, loved hard, and seized opportunities to grow and develop themselves and their family, which included moves to Jamestown, ND, and Montevideo, MN. In 1985, Earl and Mary purchased the Graceville Lumber Company and moved the family back to Graceville to be close to their parents and family. Mary ran the finances, bid work, and bookkeeping for Kampmeier Lumber. She also operated her own small business, Mary V.’s Typing and Gifts, which she expanded into parties and event planning. She loved celebrating life’s special moments, no matter how big or small, and it brought her so much joy to be part of the special events within the community. Whether it be writing a lovely holiday letter, finding the perfect gift for someone special, decorating for significant life events, or you name it, Mary loved to be part of it and celebrate with her clients. She felt blessed that it gave her the opportunity to work closely with her daughters, family, and friends. She made many fond memories of creating centerpieces, decorating, and traveling to gift markets and trade shows with her girls and Diane (her chosen sister).

Mary was an exceptionally grounded person, and she was rooted in love of community, faith, and family. She would generously help wherever there was a need. Her door was always open, and she was never too busy to help, give a kind word, or provide a delicious meal. She had an unshakeable foundation in her faith and helped others to find and develop their own. She taught catechism for many years, was a member of the CCW, and played the organ in every parish she belonged to for nearly 70 years. She gave selflessly and was a limitless source of encouragement and comfort.

Mary is survived by nine children: Laurie (David) Dripps, Susan (Kenneth) Wangen, Jennifer Kampmeier, Earl Andrew Kampmeier, Jr., Stephanie (Scott) Biehn, Virginia (Corey) Wethern, Anna (Matthew) Helson, Celina (Tyler) Sheppeck, and Fredericka (Antonio) Leon; son-in-law, Douglas Paulson; 21 grandchildren: Emily (Chris) Fickes, Laura Madsen, Nicholas (fiancé  McKenzie) Dripps, Jacob Dripps, Jamie (Stephanie) Wangen, Jodie (Dan) Berg, Janessa (Max) Harrison, Sabrina Hofbauer, Jerod (fiancé Kayla) Hofbauer, Earl Andrew “Drew” Kampmeier III, Joseph, Charles, Michael, and John Biehn, Scarlett Wethern, Charlotte Helson, Ava and Alexander Sheppeck, Elena, Natalie, and Sofia Leon; eight great-grandchildren: Hanna Sorum, Mea Mahon, Jayden Leuthardt, Tenley Madsen, Ryder Moe, James and Emma Harrison, and Calvin Dripps; and brother, George (Theresa) Drewicke.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; daughter, Mary Beth Paulson; parents: Joseph and Jane Drewicke; in-laws: Walter and Loretta Kampmeier; grandson, Jesse Wangen; and great-granddaughter, Hailee Sorum.

Mary was so fun, had such a great sense of humor and joy, loved to be on the go and to have a good adventure. She saw beauty in everything and in everyone, and we in her. She loved life and will be so dearly missed. We are incredibly fortunate and proud that she was ours. God be with you on your journey, Mom, and angels guide you on your way.

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