Margaret "Margie" Kampa

Margaret Lucy (Sonsalla) Kampa passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on March 6, 2024.

Margie was born in Arcadia on March 22, 1933, to Edward and Sophie (Fonfara) Sonsalla. Weighing only 3 pounds, she was kept warm in a shoebox on the wood stove oven door and thrived, proving early on she was stronger than she looked.

Margie graduated from Arcadia High School in 1950 and married John Kampa on October 23rd that same year. They were married for almost 58 years, until John passed away in September of 2008. Margie raised their 7 children with boundless love and patience. When her work as mother and homemaker was (mostly) done, she began a career in childcare, nurturing Arcadia’s children at the daycare center and at her home.

Throughout her long life she also worked at Meyer's Bakery, the Drive-In, and in the kitchen at St. Joseph's Hospital- a job she held until she retired. She was also an active member of the St. Stanislaus Church, now Holy Family Parish, volunteering at the annual Fall Festival and in the kitchen for events and serving as President of the Rosary Society for many years.

She was a wonderful cook, keeping her family full and happy with her delicious homemade bread, soups, creamed chicken, potato pancakes and dumplings, buttermilk pancakes, and cookies, especially at Christmas. Like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, she could stretch a dime, often feeding a family of 8 on a single can of soup.

Margie enjoyed a good coffee klatch with her sisters and friends, playing a game of Scrabble, a big bowl of buttered popcorn shared with family on a Friday night, music, a lively Polka, and a good Western on TV. She absolutely cherished all her babies: her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the many others she cared for over the years. She loved you all so much.

In her later years, she may have struggled to remember those who loved her, but she never lost her spirit, the words to her favorite Polish hymns, or her pure joy and love for children.

Margie is survived by her children: Geary (Kathy), James (Ramona), Robert (Patti), Wayne (Barb), Kathleen (Bob), Carol (Mary), and Karen (John); her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters: Joan Klink, Elizabeth Jean Bautch, and Nancy Mauhar; and brother: Edward. Margie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters: Theresa, Marie, and Davida (in infancy); and granddaughter: Emily.

Family and friends are welcome for visitation from 5 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Wozney-Killian Funeral Home, Arcadia, with a Rosary beginning at 7 PM. Mass of Christian burial officiated by Father Kyle Laylan will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church on Friday, March 15, at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior to the mass at church. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, rural Arcadia. To express condolences to her family online, please visit www.wozneykillianfh.com.

Any gifts to the family will be used to help keep the music playing at Trempealeau County Health Care Center in Whitehall. The family extends its sincerest gratitude to the staff for their tender, loving care of our mom.