Danny J Lampe of West Point, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the age of 78.
There is a poem called “The Dash,” which talks about not so much the importance of someone’s date of birth and date of death, but focuses on the dash, the time between death and birth. Danny filled that with plenty, both happy and tragic events. At age 1, he began to have symptoms of a chronic right side rare disease, which would haunt him the rest of his life, with multiple doctor’s appointments, surgeries, a prominent limp, etc. At age 6, Danny lost his father in a tragic accident; age 12, he lost his 6-year-old brother to an aneurysm. Throughout this time into his adulthood, the surgeries to combat the effects of his disease also took place. Life went on, and so did the challenges. Danny’s mother, Hilda died of cancer when Danny was twenty-nine, while he was recovering from major lung surgery. Then came the real tragedy of his life, his son Jason died at the age of forty-nine, after fighting a long-term chronic illness.
Despite all of this, there were wonderful events in his life. On April 19, 1969, he married JoAnn Fullenkamp. Together they were blessed with three children, Joe, Jason, and Amy. He was thrilled at the birth of each and took pride (that he shared with everyone) in each of their achievements and made sure that he provided them with all the advantages that he was not allowed growing up. Then came the grandchildren. There was no prouder grandpa than Danny. He had a pet name for each of these kids and made sure everyone knew each of their accomplishments.
During this time, Danny was very involved with his church and his community. He was on the city council, chairperson of the Corn Festival, St. Mary’s Fall Festival, West Point Community Club, a member of the West Point Fire Department, West Point Jaycees, etc.
Danny built a successful career at General Electric. where he worked for 35 years. He was very proud of his accomplishments and work life. He developed long-term friendships with all of his treasured “GE Buddies.” After retirement, he managed the grounds at Calvery Cemetery in West Point. He took a lot of pride in making sure it was always well maintained.
Danny was born on April 22, 1947, to Clarence and Hilda Lampe. He married JoAnn Fullenkamp on April 19th, 1969. Together, they had three children, Joe (Jamie) Lampe, North Liberty, Jason, deceased, and Amy (Brandon) Mills, Iowa City, Iowa. He had nine grandchildren, Jackson, Christian, Samara and Quentin Mills, Mya, Halle and Nora Lampe and Keira and Leah Sickels. He also had a special niece, Emily Fullenkamp Kelch, (Corey) and their four children. Danny is also survived by his brother, John (Linda) Lampe and sister, Linda (Richard) Lyons of Mt. Pleasant. He was blessed with and dearly loved his large number of nieces and nephews, all who meant so much to him.
Danny passed away at the Ft. Madison site of Southeastern Iowa Regional Medical Center with his family surrounding him.
Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Hilda Lampe, mother and father in-law, Abie and Agnes Fullenkamp, son, Jason, brother, Bobby, brother in laws, Bobby Meierotto, Ron Fullenkamp, Pat Griswold; sisters-in-law, Judy Fullenkamp.
Visitation will be held from 1:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.
Memorials have been established in his memory for Calvary Cemetery in West Point or Regina Catholic School System in Iowa City.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.