Verena (Vee) Ruth Clarke Campbell was called home by her loving Lord August 6, 2021. She was born July 14, 1932 in Havre, Montana to Kendrick and Martha Clarke. Vee spent her first 14 years in Havre and moved to Manhattan, Montana at the start of her freshman year of high school. It was during high school that she met her husband, Don O. Campbell, who happened to live across the street from her! They both graduated from Manhattan High School in 1951. Vee attended Montana State University during her freshman year of college and then transferred to Western Washington College (University) in Bellingham where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.
Vee married her high school sweetheart on June 18, 1955 in Missoula, Montana. Vee and Don began their first year together in Salt Lake City and subsequently moved to Billings, Montana where Vee taught 1st and 2nd graders at Orchard Elementary School for five years. She truly enjoyed teaching children and undoubtedly made a positive impact upon so many of them!
Vee resigned from her teaching position when she first got the news that she was finally pregnant! Their son, Clark Alan Campbell, was born in Billings on February 25, 1961. During the fall of 1961, Vee and Don moved from Billings to Helena. They were further blessed with two daughters – Susan Luise Campbell (Corbett) was born April 23, 1963 and Donna Verene Campbell was born September 22, 1965, both in Helena.
While living in Helena, Vee and Don were active members of the Presbyterian Church where their children were also a part of that church family. Vee volunteered in many capacities including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Church Camps, Adult Choir, and Church Sessions. In more recent years, Vee and Don joined Grace Community Fellowship. Vee also volunteered in areas outside of church including the Jefferson School Library, Pink Cart at St. Peter’s Hospital, Piano Player at Cooney Home, and Cub Scout Leader where she also organized a city-wide drive to support the Boy Scouts of America. On a more personal level, Vee was a true servant to others and a loving caregiver to both her mother and mother-in-law during each of their final days.
Vee enjoyed many business trips with her husband which included the Oregon Coast, Seattle, Vancouver B.C., San Francisco, SanDiego, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Florida. After Don’s retirement, they also enjoyed two trips to Hawaii and many trips to visit their children and grandchildren. More recently, Don and Vee loved walking together around the Capitol with their dog “Yogi Bear”. During the last couple months, they also celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary along with Vee’s 89th birthday!
Vee’s ultimate passion was to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She faithfully spent time reading scripture daily and made the most of every opportunity to share with others the hope that we all have in Jesus!
Survivors include: Don O. Campbell, husband; Three children – Clark (Sherry) Campbell, Spokane Valley, WA; Susan (Dean) Corbett, Kalispell, MT; & Donna (Jeff) Campbell, Belgrade, MT; Six grandchildren – Erica (David) Diebold, Ryan (Samantha) Corbett, Tyler Diebold, Kaleigh Campbell, Janae (Logan) Lamm, & Kendra Campbell; and three great-grandchildren – Kohen, Iris, & Lennon. Vee is also survived by her sister, Carolyn Doll, along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 30th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the reception hall of the funeral home. Burial will take place at 2 p.m. at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials in Vee’s name can be made to Grace Community Fellowship or the Shriners Children’s Hospital. A special “thank you” with deepest gratitude goes out to the Touchmark and Frontier Hospice Staffs for their faithful and loving care of Vee.
The Live Service Broadcast will open at 10:45a.m. for the 11:00a.m. Service
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Monday August 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
2:00 p.m.
Monday August 30, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Monday August 30, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
2:00 p.m.
Monday August 30, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Tom Naegele says
Don and Family,
Vee was also so kind to me and my family over the many many Lion’s Club social events. Especially at The Helena Lion’s Sunshine Camp. Or at Safeway and when I saw her and Don walking. God Bless you Dear Vee.
Respectfully Tom Naegele
Arlyn and Pearle Plowman says
Don and Family,
We are saddened to hear of your great loss. Our loss is Heaven’s gain and we know how well deserved Vee’s reward is to be with the Saviour and Lord she loved and served for so many years.
She will be missed by many.
Butch and Pearle Plowman
Julie & Jim DeMars says
Vee was a beautiful woman – inside and out. She will be missed by all who knew her. We are keeping Don, Clark, Susan and Donna (& families) in our thoughts and prayers as they all navigate the tough days ahead. Love you Donna!
Martha and Allan says
Donna and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of the death of your mother. We are hoping your memories will help comfort you in the days ahead. A mother’s love is a treasure that even death cannot touch. Much love, Martha and Allan Payne
Ross Cannon says
My sympathy to Don Campbell and the Campbell family. I used to run into Don and Vee as we were walking around the Capitol. We would stop and have a brief chat and then we would all go on with our walks. Vee was a lovely lady. She will be missed.
Mary Kay & George Bennett says
Always a smile!
Bee was interested in everything and everybody.
We are so sorry, Don & family.
Mary Kay & George
Colleen Mockler says
Vee Campbell was a shining light who brightened the world.
It was a pleasure just to see her beaming face.
Now that light is gone. Rest In Peace, Vee.
Dave Campbell says
Vee was one of, if not the sweetest, most kind person I’ve ever met. I can’t recall a single time when we were around her (Clark’s high school and college friends) when she didn’t have a smile on her face and a cheery optimistic thought for everyone (along with always offering to cook us something, which every high school/college person greatly appreciates) :. ) People like her are so rare in life that you treasure the fact that you’ve met them and grateful to have known them. She lived a long, fulfilled life and made everyone’s life around her better.
I was so glad we could make her day a little better this past summer with a short visit.
She’s only gone physically because those that knew her will never forget her. I hope Don, Clark, Susan and Donna can take some comfort in that and in the realization that she now is at peace.
Valerie Raisch says
My sweet, lovely friend Vee,
What a beautiful person you were inside and out
and I loved sharing days at First Presbyterian Church
with you and especially our fun times together in Women’s
Fellowship and Rebekah circle. Since moving to Florida many
years ago, I haven’t seen much of you but your name crossed my
lips with a happy memory just days before reading you had entered
God’s kingdom. Well done, good and faithful servant. I will never forget you.
Till we meet again, my deepest sympathy and love to Don and the Campbell
family.
Valerie Raisch
Tom and Judy Rolfe says
Our sincere sympathy to you Don and the Campbell family. Vee was a lovely woman who we enjoyed many fun times with during church functions and small Group Bible study. Vee will certainly be missed. Please know we are thinking about you at this difficult time.
Bonnie Jean Kirwin says
Donna. I am sorry to hear about your Mom. We were both line dancers when I lived in Helena. Lots of fun. Sincerely, Bonnie Kirwin.
Larry and Denise Rowan says
Don and Family,
So Sorry to hear about Vee’s passing. She was always such a sweet, happy, optimistic person! We’ll miss seeing her smiling face in church on Sundays. Our prayers are with you all.
Blessings,
Larry and Denise Rowan
Steve Wilkins says
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Campbell family during this difficult time. Growing up a block from the Campbell house, I remember my best friend’s mother being cheerful, generous and very faithful – to name just a few of Vee’s God-given qualities. She influenced my spiritual life at a very young age with her stack of scripture cards on the kitchen table. She allowed Clark and I to use her lemons, to make fresh squeezed lemonade for our neighborhood lemonade stand. Believe it or not, I ate my very first McDonald’s hamburger in 1970? thanks to Vee Campbell driving Clark and I to Helena’s newest fast food restaurant for lunch! Vee preferred healthy food over fast food and I can still hear her saying “Oh Dear…” as Clark and I made each other faint in the front yard on Highland. I will truly miss Vee’s beautiful smile and loving personality toward ALL people. She truly practiced what was preached on Sunday and demonstrated the Christian life more than anyone I can remember growing up.
Frank and Siri Diebold says
Vee was a very special person. She was extremely kind and always very caring. It was a privilege to have known her. Please accept our condolences.
Frank and Siri
Tina Wambeke says
I am so thankful to Vee for sharing her faith and love with me. She is forever family to me. What a beautiful and classy lady inside and out!
Kathryn Pfeiffer Basham says
I’m a little late in writing, but I just today found out that my second mother when I was little had passed. Her daughter, Susan, was my very best friend in grade school and I spent as much time at the Campbells as I did my own house. Vee was the kindest, most loving person to everyone. She will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her. She brightened our lives and will live in our hearts. Vee, may your star shine forever in the heavens.