Gillie Mary (Lester) CAMPBELL

LESTER, CAMPBELL, WEEKS, CHASON, AXON, FREER, WALLACE, CHILDERS, JONES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/19/2012 at 15:35:01

September 30, 1920 -- October 15, 2012

Gillie Mary Campbell, the daughter of William Orris and Ida Weeks Lester, was born in rural Warren County, Iowa, on September 30, 1920. She was raised and educated in the area of her birth, graduating from Indianola High School in 1938. After graduation, Gillie started her first job as a telephone operator. On February 28, 1941, Gillie was united in marriage with Robert P. Campbell, Jr., in Princeton, MO. This marriage was done in secrecy at that time due to the telephone employment regulations. She then began employment at the Ankeny Ordinance Plant which created ammunition for WWII.

When Robert began his farming career, he and Gillie moved to Humboldt, IA and started their family. They later moved to Goldfield where their children grew up. In 1977, at age 57, Gillie chose to go to college and graduated with a degree in Clothing Alterations and Drapery which she had a strong interest in. She was an accomplished oil and watercolor artist and enjoyed learning about antiques. In their retirement years, Gillie and Robert wintered in California and Arizona.

Gillie was a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Goldfield. She was an avid golfer and loved traveling throughout the continental U.S. and Alaska with her husband and family. One of her favorite pastimes was attending estate sales as she truly enjoyed finding unique and historically significant items. She had an amazing ability to experiment and create the most wonderful meals, and could make the simplest meal taste like it was gourmet. She was, without doubt, a homemaker extraordinaire with her skills and creativity.

Gillie passed away on Monday, October 15, 2012, at the Heart of Wright Care Center in Clarion, at the age of 92 years surrounded by her loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert (2001); a grandson-in-law, Timothy Earl Chason (2012); three brothers and one sister, as well as many family members too numerous to mention, but important to remember.

Survivors include her children and their families: Linda Kay Axon (Michael) of Goldfield, IA/League City, Texas and their children Lisa Chason and Gina Freer (Chuck); Robert P. Campbell III (Carrie) of Eagle Grove, IA and their children Robert Campbell IV (Stacie and children, Landen and Alaina), Crystal (Bob and children, Braden and Grayson); Patricia Campbell Wallace (Randy) of Coppell, TX, and their children Lauren Childers (Wyatt), Lindsey and Ryan; and Mary Jo Jones (Jerry) of Goldfield, IA and their children Wade and Staci (Duane and their son, Cole).

Burial was in the I.O.O.F. #70 Cemetery in Indianola, IA, beside her husband of 60 years, her mother, and her infant brother. Memorials received will be left to the discretion of the family.

Foust Funeral Home - Eagle Grove, Iowa
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