Thursday, December 5, 2024

Campbell

March 24, 1925 — March 9, 2017

Bonnie Campbell passed away March 9, 2017, just shy of her 92nd birthday.
Bonnie Gayle Johnson was born in Guernsey, Iowa, March 24, 1925, to Olie and Leona Johnson. She met her husband, LaVern Lionel Campbell (Vern), while at school in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was an air cadet preparing to go to war. Bonnie completed her Emergency Teaching Certificate and Vern got his pilot wings.
On his leave home in June 1944, they were married. Employment after the war had the Campbells moving often. Bonnie looked on each move as a new experience and looked forward to decorating and settling in, growing her family into each new home. She was an accomplished seamstress, providing the family with everything from prom dresses to Halloween costumes.
Bonnie was an avid bridge player, and though she would say she wasn’t very good, she enjoyed golf into her 80s. She was most proud of leading her youngest daughter’s Girl Scout troop from third grade through high school and her work with the Stillwater County Library.
Bonnie said she chose a career in “domestic management,” and felt it was a privilege to share so many interests through the eyes of her eight children. She was a beloved mother and wife and will be missed.
Bonnie is survived by her eight children and their spouses: Steve and Gail Campbell, (Raleigh, N.C.); Cathy and Randy Harju (Highlands Ranch, Colo.); Nancy and Morris Frank (Fort Collins, Colo.); Anne and Albert Peif (Greeley, Colo.); Bonnie and Bob Lorash (Reed Point, Mont.); Tom and Karen Campbell (Billings, Mont.); John and Neda Campbell (Houston, Texas); and Mary Campbell and Wayne Lesser (Highlands Ranch, Colo.).
Bonnie was survived by the following grandchildren and spouses: Matt Campbell; Eric and Marion Campbell; Kim and Curtis Bozich; Holly and Jorge Mena; Ryan and Amanda Peif; Andrea and Kevin Greene; Chris and Michelle Lorash; Angie and Frank Valdez; Amanda and Shane Hannah; Audrey Campbell; Shane and Callie Campbell; Carolyn Campbell; and Christina Campbell.
Bonnie is survived by her 12 great-grandchildren: Joel Campbell; Craig and Cody Bozich; Alejandro, Kenny and Sergio Mena; Ryker Peif; Lexi Greene; Marcus Valdez; Carter Lorash; Brooks, Thomas, Hannah, and Zoey Campbell.
Bonnie was also survived by her second partner in life, Robert Speich.
Charitable memorial donations can be made to: Stillwater County Library, P.O. Box 266 Columbus, MT 59019 or Rocky Mountain Hospice, 2110 Overland Ave. Suite 111 Billings, MT 59102.
A memorial service will be at Smith Funeral Chapel, 35 Diamond St. in Columbus, Mont., on April 8 at 1 p.m.