of Mountain Home, AR

April 20, 1953 - January 6, 2026

Steven James Kampen, 72, died on January 6, 2026, in Mountain Home, Arkansas. A memorial service will take place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Mountain Home at a later date this spring.

Steve graduated in 1971 from Fenton High School in Bensenville, Illinois, and attended one year at Northern Illinois University, where he met Barbara. Steve and Barbara married on February 7, 1976, in Beloit, Wisconsin. Steve was a volunteer on the Oakbrook Terrace Fire Dept., Illinois, and retired in 2003 from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Steve was a member of the Twin Lakes Writers. As a local author, Steve published six mystery/crime novels. He was also a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Mountain Home.

Steve was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, and playing chess, checkers, and card games with his grandsons. He loved his grandchildren. He had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes. He was a devoted husband and father. He will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his son, Robert James Kampen, his parents, Bert and Marilyn Kampen, and two sisters, Marge Gohr and Diana Luebker.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, a daughter, Stephanie (Brian Greene) Svoboda of Springfield, Missouri, grandchildren Addyson Svoboda, Asher Svoboda, and Andy Svoboda of Springfield, Missouri, Kyle Kampen, Kevin Kampen, and Caleb Kampen of Woodbridge, Virginia.

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