"Kathy was a great inspiration to us all. I was in her class and then went from grade school to high school and graduated from Essex High School in 1985. I had run into her a couple of times after that and I really enjoyed my visits with her but I was really surprised when I found out that she had passed away. My heart goes out Don and Andy and all of the family members and other relation. Remember, she will always be remembered and never forgotten."
In loving memory of
Kathryn "Kathy" Campbell
April 28, 2009
Kathryn E. (Carlson) Campbell was born on July 4, 1944 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Darrel and Gertrude (Graham) Carlson. Kathy entered into the arms of her Lord on Tuesday evening, April 28, 2009 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa.
Kathy was raised in Essex where she attended school and graduated from high school with the Class of 1962. She later went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University. She taught school in Omaha and Denver before making her teaching career with the Essex School System. Kathy taught Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 4th Grade in Essex for some 30 years before her retirement.
Kathy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah, the Presbyterian Women, and served on the church board. She mentored youth in Shenandoah and Essex and volunteered for several groups in the community. She was also involved with a bridge club and Craft Group. Some of her interests included reading, spending time with her family and friends, traveling and playing cards. She had a positive impact on hundreds of youth in her career and was blessed with numerous friends that she treasured. She was a devoted and deeply loved mother and grandmother.
Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Don Campbell and wife Charity of Norwalk, IA, and their children Shae and Cade; and Andy Campbell and wife Bridget of Shenandoah and their children Claire, Jack and Caroline; two brothers, Bill Carlson and wife Pam of Omaha and Charlie Carlson of Shenandoah; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Celebration of Life Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah with Rev. Rick Sleyster officiating. Attending to the memorial register were Karlene Turner and Julie Griggs while Janet Walker and Anne Mishou cared for the flowers. Ushers for the service were Art Demanett, Tom Brodersen, Ray Graves and Don Nelson. Terry Stafford played the organ, while Doris Broderson sung, "Children Of The Heavenly Father" and "Battle Hymn of The Republic" the congregation joined in singing "Living For Jesus". Inurnment followed in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for an educational scholarship.
Tributes
"Don, Andy, and families, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. My mom will always treasure the memories of her friendship. She was also a friend to me. I still have the books she sent us for baby gifts. Please know you're in my thoughts also. Take care, Meredith & family"
"Andy and Bridget, We wanted to let you know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We have many great memories of your mom in school. Greg and Shelly Graham"
"I am so extremely sorry for your loss. Kathy was not only my first grade teacher but a mentor to me throughout the rest of my life. I can still picture her classroom at the old school and her sitting at her desk at the front of the room. I loved going to school every day because I wanted to be able to see her and learn from her, I even convinced my parents that I wasn't sick one day just so I wouldn't miss out on what she had to teach next. The lessons she taught me about loving myself and seeing myself as the person I could become will always be with me. She will truly be missed for all that she did for so many. I remember one day when I was upset because some of the other girls were making fun of me, Kathy got all of us together and made us talk it out amongst ourselves and apologize to one another while standing in a circle with her closely standing behind me providing that extra confidence I needed to let them know how I felt. I thank her for all the wonderful memories that I will pass on to my own children so they too will know what a difference she made in my life. "
"so sorry for your loss of your mother, she was a very nice person. My son Jeremy really liked her as a teacher"
"Don, Andy and family, We are ery sad to hear the news of your mom. I cant think of any words to comfort you but you will be in our thoughts. John"
"Don, Andy, and families, I feel blessed by having known Kathy. She will always hold a special place in my heart not only because she taught all three of my boys, but also because I got the privilege of working at the school with her. I remember when your grandma passed away I mentioned to Kathy how much I liked the dish cloths that Gertie always made. Your mother brought me several of them. Thats the kind of person she was, always making an effort to please others in whatever way she could. May God be with you and your families during this difficult time. "
"Dear Don and Andy- I was so sorry to hear about your Mom. She was such a wonderful person and always lit up a room when she entered. I can still see her smile and hear her joyous laugh. She was a treasured friend to my Mom and we all appreciated her kind words and support this past year while Todd was waiting for his heart. I wish there were more people in this world like her. I will you keep you and your families in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Chris"
"Kathy was a very sweet and caring person. I have fond memories of our times on their farm when we were growing up. I was very glad that we had dinner together last September. She will be missed. Linda Graham Sanger Kathy's cousin"
"We are so very sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person and she will be greatly missed. She shaped so many young lives and those lives will never be the same. Mrs. Campbell will never be forgotten! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all in this difficult time. "
"Don, Andy, and family, We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. She was a great teacher and a neat lady. Our kids were lucky enough to know her as a substitute teacher. You and your families are in our thoughts. Chad, Amy, Cody, and Camryn"
"Mrs. Capbell knew me when I was a little girl. I was good friends with Wendy. It amazed me that she always recognized me and stopped to visit when I saw her places. She is a wonderful person. I am sorry for your loss."
"I had Mrs. Campbell in first grade, which I do indeed remember. She always let us listen to books on tape with those giant head phones, if we were good. She never yelled and always told us to say please and thank you. I rememeber her as one of the nicest teachers I ever had. She was a lifelong friend to many people, inlcluding my mom, who also worked at the shcool with Mrs. Campbell. I would still call her Mrs. CAmpbell if I ever saw her, it's funny how your teachers earn that type of respect, and when we are adults we still call them Miss or Mrs. never by their first name, but she definitely deserved all the respect in the world. She was a kind and gentle lady who was loved by many. My condolences to her sons, Andy and Don and all of her family. Wendy(Ossian)Gardner"
"Andy and Bridgette, I am so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with Kathy so much for many years in the Essex Schools before her retirement. She is one special lady!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Elaine"
"Don and Andy--So sorry for your loss. Your mother was a great person."
"We were very saddened to hear of Kathryn's passing. We were very close to her mother for over 25years and through her became close. We are sincerely sorry and will miss her tremendously. Our prayers are with you-all. "
"Don, Andy, & family: We're sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time."
"Andy, Bridget,and family, Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May time ease your sorrow, and good memories sustain you in the days to come. With Sincere Sympathy, Dottie"
"Don, Andy & families, Kathy was such a sweet, loving, loyal, kind and considerate friend and I will miss her so much. She was so proud of her boys, daughter-in-laws and especially her dear grandchildren. My sincere sympathy to you. Kathy is with God's Angels smiling down at everyone. She was a blessing to many. Sherry Hambsch"
"I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Kathy was my first grade teacher. I have to say she was my favorite one too! She made learning so much fun. Now that I have children she has had them as students from time to time when she subed here in Shen. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Angie Mann, Sean Gluck & Allie Gluck"
"Andy and Don and families. We are saddened to hear about our dear Mrs. Campbell. I was lucky enough to see and talk to her while she was at the hospital recovering. I could listen to her talk for hours. Her humor and compassion for others was always there no matter how she felt. We always told her she was the best kindergarten teacher ever, Jayde to this day loved his Mrs. Campbell and she knew that. She will be missed by so many students and friends. I will miss her quick smile and loving ways and how she talked about her beloved family. Her memory will live on for so many that her warm heart touched."
"How does time pass so quickly. It has been years since I have seen my nephews Don and Andy, and over the years my contact with dear Katy has been reduced to Christmas cards, sometimes forgotten from my end, but never from hers. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of my distant relatives in Iowa, and to all those who know and love Katy. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mrs. Campbell. I am sure that there are hundreds of her other former students offering their support as well. She was an amazing person and an inspiring teacher."
"Family of Kathy Carlson...I pray to all of you that GOD will give you eyes to see beyond the clouds of earth into the glory of heaven and the peace that comes from knowing that the one you love is there in HIS arms. In Deepest Sympathy for Your Sorrow....Karenann Manley"
"I am so sorry for the loss of your mom, Kathy was such a great lady and I enjoyed all the times I was able to care for her. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Jacque Maher"
"Kathy was one of the nicest, most thoughtful and caring people that I have ever met. She was sincere in her belief in others and could always see the good in everyone around her. She taught my children and always continued to ask about all of them. She not only was an outstanding teacher, but loved to continue to grow and learn herself. She loved sharing and encouraging others. Kathy had a strong sense of values, but was not judgemental of others. She was one of the best mentors I have in the program I coordinate, but she was my mentor too. I know she is in good hands in God's care in Heaven, but she will be very greatly missed here on Earth. It is an honor to have known her. I wish peace, blessings and comfort to all of Kathy's family. I know that you will carry on all she taught you. I pray we can all learn to be more like Kathy."
"We will miss our friend Kathy. She was a great ISEA member."
"Dear Don, Andy and families, We send you our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. She was such a great person and friend. She will truely be missed. Please gain strength through the thoughts and prayers of friends and relatives. Our thoughts will be with you in the days to come. We send you our Love, Tommy and Judy Graham"