Keith Kamps

Keith Emil “Smokey” Kamps, 83, of Belmont, passed away suddenly on July 11 after a long battle with many health issues. Celebration of Life for “Smokey” will be from Noon – 3:00 PM, Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the Sport's Page, Belmont. The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family. Memorials in Smokey's honor may be made to the Belmont Ambulance Service.

Keith, known to many as Smokey, was born May 7, 1939, in Platteville, to Emil and Ella (Speth) Kamps. When he was a young child, his family moved to the Speth homestead farm near Belmont. He lived at the farm until 1999, when his mother passed away. Although he worked as a farm laborer and at Nodolf Lumber for 25 years, his most treasured role was serving as caretaker for his mom and allowing her to live out her days at the beloved family farm.

Smokey loved sports. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing softball and bowling. He managed several Belmont fastpitch softball teams and it is rumored that his nickname, Smokey, is attributed to his animated managerial skills. He also was very much involved in bowling leagues and traveled extensively to compete in many tournaments. He was a huge sports fan. He followed all his Wisconsin teams – Badgers, Packers and Braves/Brewers. He was also a huge supporter of his Belmont Braves sports teams. You could ask him any sports trivia question or recent score and he would know the answer.

He is survived by siblings, Donovan (Barbara), Marjorie (Fred) Dorn, Janis (Don) Selger, Karen (Joe) Prem deceased, Beverly (Chuck) Hilgert deceased, Tom (Jody), and Norma Jean (Don) Hanson; and sisters-in-law, Jane Kamps (Harold) and Connie Kamps (William). Uncle Smokey will also be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. They loved him dearly as he always teased them, had a joke to tell, and kept the hutch filled with candy and the refrigerator stocked with soda pop. There are many and he always made each one feel loved. He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Harold, LaVerne and his wife, Mary Lou, and William Kamps.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Lafayette Manor for their excellent care with special thanks to Elaine and Smokey's Dr. Matt. Love and Peace to you Smokey! You will surely be missed! Well “whoop de do”, Smoke. Rest in peace.