John Nickolaus Kamphaus, age 81, of Burwell, passed away Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, at the Community Memorial Health Center in Burwell.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday (today), Feb. 7, 2013, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Burwell with Pastor Alan Petersen officiating.

Hitchcock Funeral Home in Burwell is in charge of arrangements.

John was born on Dec. 9, 1931, at Raeville, to Joseph and Juliana (Arnberger) Kamphaus. He was the third child of twelve children. 

He received his education in rural Holt County schools. At the age of sixteen he left home and went to work for several area ranchers. He later went to Scottsbluff with William and Lavina Thompson where he worked in the oil and bean fields. 

He was inducted into the United States Army on Oct. 21, 1952. After basic training he was sent to Korea. He received an honorable discharge on Sept. 30, 1954. Returning home to Nebraska he worked at the Albert and Carrie Summers ranch. This is where he started his cattle herd. In June of 1961 he married Mildred LaVerne Whitcomb at Amelia. To this union three children were born: Sherry, Richard and William. The family lived on ranches around Bartlett and Burwell. They moved to the Dallas Petersen ranch west of Burwell in 1970. They lived there for forty-one years. In 2010 they sold the ranch because of John's failing health and moved to Burwell.

John is survived by his wife, LaVerne Kamphaus of Burwell; three children: Sherry Smith of Shelton, WA, Richard and Theresa Kamphaus of Ft. Collins, CO and William and Marlene Kamphaus of Burwell; eight grandchildren: Lacey, Jessica and Trina Smith, Ashley, Sarah and Brooke Kamphaus and Cody and Levi Kamphaus; seven brothers: Joe and Leila Kamphaus of O'Neill, Anthony Kamphaus of Murdo, SD, Carl and Irene Kamphaus of O'Neill, Bernard and Jo Ellen Kamphaus of Chambers, Michael and Yvonne Kamphaus of Norman, OK, Francis and Diane Kamphaus of Columbus and Paul and Carolyn Kamphaus of Omaha and two sisters, Genevieve Shaw and Dorothy Summers, both of O'Neill.

He was preceded in death  by his parents and two sisters, Mary Stewart and Juliana Svatos.

Memorials are suggested to the Burwell Veteran's Park or the Community Memorial Health Center.