John A. Kamphake

John A. Kamphake, age 67, of Parkers Prairie, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, May 20, 2024, at St. William’s Catholic Church in Parkers Prairie with Fr. Jeremy Theis officiating. Music is provided by Paul Malecha. The interment will take place at the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at Vogrin Hall, St. William’s Living Center and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

John August Kamphake was born on March 5, 1957, to Henry “Pete” Jr. and JoAnn (Buschke) Kamphake in Parkers Prairie. He was the third of the seven “J”s in the Kamphake family. John was baptized and confirmed at St. William’s Catholic Church and grew up on the family farm. He graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1975. He was raised with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit. John bought his first road grader at 16, grading and gravelling roads and completing snow removal so the buses could run, all while still in high school. Additionally, he worked on multiple farms and in the family business. After high school, he worked with his father and brother, Jim, for Kamphake Construction. In 1983, he married Patricia Klimek at St. William’s Catholic Church. John adopted Patricia’s two sons, Corey and Nick. Shortly after their marriage they purchased the Sinclair Station and started PJ’s company, serving the community at large. In 1986, their son John Ross was born. As their family grew so did their business. In 1995, PJ’s became JJ”s Company. Taking pride in his town, he was known for being “Johnny on the Spot,” using his equipment to help wherever needed. John’s obsession for work and passion for family, was only rivaled by his love to eat. John would always say, “most people eat to live, I live to eat.” never missing an opportunity to smother his meals with his beloved Heinz Ketchup or bid on another job he didn’t have time for. In the rare occurrence when he wasn’t working, John enjoyed snowmobiling, riding his four-wheeler, motorcycle, traveling, and spending time with his grandchildren. John was proud to be a father to his son, JR, and cherished the opportunity to work alongside him at JJ’s Company and pass on the family business. There is peace now that John is free from his pain and struggle towards the end of his life, but he will be greatly missed by his family, who loved him very much. He was the rock to his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Jerry and Jim.

John is survived by his children, John Ross “JR” Kamphake, Corey Thoennes and Nick Kamphake, Jason Pullins, Heather Collins, and Dylan Pullins; grandchildren, Jackson, Leo, and Abel Kamphake, Taylor and Abigail Thoennes, Tristen, Brandon, Nathan, and Madison Kamphake, Dakota and Hannah Collins; four sisters, Jane (Randy) Hinderscheid of Holmes City, Judy (Daniel) Tetrick of Alexandria, Janet (Monte Murphy) Steinbring of Phoenix, Arizona, and Joyce (Jeffrey) Arnold of Parkers Prairie; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Serving as casket bearers are Tristen, Brandon, and Nathan Kamphake, Hunter and Levi Arnold, Aaron Hinderscheid, Tanner Tetrick, and Chase Steinbring, Rick Kamphake, and Dylan Pullins. 

Honorary bearers are Jackson, Leo, and Abel Kamphake, Jeff Krause, Rodney Peterson, Lisa Kamphake, and John’s nieces and nephews.