Verna Maurene Campbell

    Verna Maurene Campbell the daughter of Ralph and Mildred (Brewer) Ayres, was born June 11, 1934 on the family farm near Greenville, IA.  She was raised in that area where she attended country school until the 5^th grade.  She loved when her dad picked her up from school with the team of horses with the sleigh, and the horses had their bells on.  She finished her schooling at Spencer Schools where she graduated.  After high school, she attended Northwestern College in Minneapolis, MN where she studied art.  She then returned to Spencer, where she worked at Clay County National Bank.

     She married Charles Duane Campbell on September 16, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in Spencer.   Shortly after marriage, Duane entered into the military and was stationed in Germany where Verna accompanied him.  While in the service, they traveled to many places in Europe and around the world.  She was proud she had been to 29 different countries.                                                                                           

     The couple returned to Northwest Iowa and farmed near Moneta.  In 2004, they moved to Spencer but in their mind they never left the farm.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church.

     The couple enjoyed traveling.  They volunteered at Wycliffe Bible Translators for 20 years and also attended the National Quartet Convention for over 20 years.  They took a bus tour to Washington DC and have been to Alaska, Israel, Branson, the Black Hills, Florida, Niagara Falls and many other places.  She loved to draw using chalk and oil paints.  She also loved to make scrapbooks of all the trips they went on.  At the age of 70, she rode on a motorcycle for the first time and they put 20,000 miles on their bike over the next 10 years.

     Verna passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Verla Klaessy and husband, Earl; and her son-in-law, Neil Swanson.

     Left to cherish her memory are husband, Charles “Duane” Campbell of Spencer, IA; her daughter, Starla Swanson of Spencer, IA; her son Carl of Hartley, IA; brother-in-law, Bernie (Mary) Campbell of Hartley, IA; her cousin Shirley (Pete) Paulsen of Spencer, IA; and nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

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