Retired teacher enjoyed camping trips in Texas

11/30/2000

Edna Mae Kamper, 82, a teacher at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School for 23 years, died of heart failure Sunday in the Heatherdowns Rehabilitation & Residential Care Center.

Her daughter, Karen Burgess, described her as a “very loving person,” dedicated to her family and the children she taught.

Born in Sandusky, Mrs. Kamper moved to South Toledo and graduated from Libbey High School and Mary Manse College.

Her family grew up on Hinsdale Road, just a few houses from where Lyle Kamper, her future husband of 64 years, lived. “I hung around her house, because her brother [Charles] was my best friend,” Mr. Kamper said.

She had a variety of jobs before she became an educator, from working in a restaurant to driving a school bus. She taught five years at St. Joseph's School in Maumee before joining St. Patrick's as a third-grade teacher. She retired as a fifth-grade teacher in 1983.

Mrs. Kamper, a founding member of St. Patrick Parish, enjoyed camping with her husband.

The two belonged to several camping clubs in Ohio and Texas. Among them was the National Campers and Hikers Association, which later became known as Family Campers and RVers.

In addition, they were lifetime members of the Good Sam Club and chapters affiliated with those groups. Since 1983, they had camped about six months a year at Lakeview Mobile Home Park in Weslaco, Tex.

Surviving are her husband, Lyle; daughter, Karen Burgess, and two grandsons.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Church, where family members will greet friends beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. Arrangements are by James Coyle & Son Funeral Home. The family requests tributes to St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School.