Sylvia Ruth Kamke

Sylvia Ruth (Nicholas) Kamke was born in Abrams, Wisconsin on June 14, 1934 to Bernice (Exford) and Wesley Nicholas. Sylvia was a graduate of Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1952. She then went to nursing training school at Deaconess Hospital in Milwaukee and Chicago, with her dear friend Shirley Peterson. Buzz and Sylvia were married at the Chapel in the Sky in Chicago on November 26, 1954.

Sylvia and Buzz raised their six children on the Kamke farm in Spruce before moving to Oconto Falls and building their current "earth home" at the corner of Main and Milwaukee in 1981.

Sylvia's nursing career was at the Oconto Falls Community Memorial Hospital for over 40 years, where she worked the 3PM - 11PM as an RN, an ER RN, and she finished her nursing career in the Infectious Disease Control Department. Her experiences in the ER created a situation where her children were forbidden to ride snowmobiles and motorcycles. She also served as a City Council member for Oconto Falls, was a charter member of the River Island Golf Course, a member of the Hole-In-One Club, and helped establish Friends of the Library. Sylvia was the organist for St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Spruce and her beautiful voice was on display for the many weddings she sang for.

Sylvia and Buzz built a wonderful family life together and shared many happy years traveling internationally and golfing at many courses in the United States. She is survived by her husband, Lowell (Buzz), and six children and spouses: Karon and Dan Laurent; Robin and Bill Arndt, Scott and Janet Kamke; Tracy and David Merges, Bradd Kamke, and Paige and Brian Buege; six grandchildren; and ten great-grand children. She was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings.

Visitation for Sylvia will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a service immediately following visitation, officiated by Pastor Ryan Landwehr. A private burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery in Spruce.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her niece, Bonnie Vincent, and the staff associated with Unity and Meadowbrook for their outstanding care during her final days. In lieu of flowers or a monetary gift, please make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in her name: 2922 Crenshaw Boulevard, Suite 125, Los Angeles, CA 90016.