Edmund Campion Kersten died peacefully at his home in Mequon April 3, 2023 at age 90, while holding the hand of his dear wife, Katherine.
Campion also is survived by three children, Juliet (David Rusch), Paul, Jennifer Kersten Maas (Michael), and four grandchildren, Dakota, Max, Charlie, and Benjamin. He also is survived by a sister, Mary Calista (Robert) McWilliam, and three brothers, George (Martha), Kenan (Sally) and Fr. Kevin, S.J., as well as numerous sisters and brother in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and even more numerous friends and legal colleagues.
“Camp”, as he was affectionately known, was born in Milwaukee July 28, 1932, the son of Charles and Mary Edith Kersten. After graduating from St. Monica’s grade school in Whitefish Bay, he attended the Jesuit-run, namesake Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, graduating as salutatorian of his class in 1950. It is there his rhetorical gifts became evident through many oratorical endeavors like placing second in the nation among over 4000 contestants in the American Legion’s nation-wide oratory contest. Camp was involved in many extracurriculars that shaped his lifelong friendships and interests. He was often master of ceremonies for many of the reunions over the decades, hosting the 72nd reunion at his home this past summer!
Camp attended Marquette University’s college of liberal arts, where he won numerous debate contests including a highly publicized national debate contest against Harvard University with his brother George as his debate partner. Having graduated with a major in philosophy in 1954, he then spent two years aboard a ship in the Pacific as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the end of the Korean war. Following the Navy he enrolled at the University of Michigan Law School, completing his degree in 1959. Shortly after, Campion met the love of his life, Katherine Conrad. They married 60 years ago on January 12th.
Camp began his legal practice entering the family law firm established by his father and an uncle, Kersten & McKinnon, S.C., which specialized in civil litigation. Early on, Camp’s advocacy skills became evident, notably as a young lawyer as lead counsel for a plaintiff in a significant antitrust case (Thill v. New York Stock Exchange) that resulted in changes still in effect today in the Exchange. In fact, many cases tried by Camp set precedents under Wisconsin law which still stand.
In another unique role, Camp was appointed special prosecutor for the John Doe investigation in the infamous Lawrencia Bembenek case.
Camp spent most of his professional life, well into his 80’s, in the federal and state trial and appellate courts, and practiced at Kersten & McKinnon, S.C. with brothers George and Kenan. Typically, cases were referred to their firm by other lawyers, judges and earlier clients. In their major cases, the Kerstens would prepare and try cases as a team of two or three, including their father and uncle until they died, and thereafter among the three brothers plus a number of younger lawyers employed by the firm at various times. Throughout the entire life of the firm they were supported by an incredible office management and legal secretarial team.
In addition to his legal talents, Camp was an accomplished pianist. In his college and law school years and thereafter, he took lessons from a concert pianist who shepherded him through master works of Bach, Mozart and other great composers of the recent centuries. He encouraged and mentored his children and grandchildren in their own piano lessons. Camp’s two most prized possessions were his 7-foot German Steinway grand piano and his golf clubs.
As to his golf, Camp cherished his membership at Ozaukee Country Club, sharing time on the course with family and friends and holding the title of the first champion of the famed club event, “The Oz”. He frequently shot his age in his late eighties and his last game last fall (at age 90) was played with grandsons and son- in-law, still driving straight and long.
Camp loved time with family and friends gathered at a family mass, around the piano with song, enjoying fine wine and food, skiing the slopes with the Vail Stags, telling a great joke, providing wise counsel in time of need, sitting in the stands for Marquette basketball, traveling and spending winters in Phoenix with Katherine. The consummate gentleman, his charm, wit, kindness, and intellect endeared him to all.
A visitation will be held at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2750 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon on Thursday, April 13th from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Preceded at 12:45 with the eulogy, the mass of Christian burial will begin at 1pm. The mass will be live streamed and can be viewed on the parish website at www.lumenchristiparish.org. A reception will be held after the mass. Private interment Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in E. Campion Kersten’s name may be made to:
St. Camillus Jesuit Community at 10201 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, or St. Henry Parish in Buckeye Arizona at https://sthenrybuckeye.com.