Kenneth Campbell

Kenneth Boyd Campbell

Kenneth Campbell, a long time resident of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 86.
Kenneth Boyd Campbell was born in Atlantic, Iowa on November 30, 1925. His parents were Robert R. Campbell and Jessie L. McClaughry. He grew up on a farm and attended Lewis High School thru the 10th grade.
He joined the U.S. Army in February of 1944 thru April of 1946. He spent 1 ½ years with Company “A” 278th Engineers Combat Battalion in the European Theater. He was classified as a Demolition Specialist. He also spent a great deal of time helping construct assault or “Bailey” bridges as they were more commonly known. Kenneth earned the Meritorious Unit Award, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with three Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, three Overseas Service Bars, and he qualified as a sharpshooter with the M1 rifle.
Kenneth married Pearl Evonne Martens on January 1,1947 in Hiawatha, Kansas. They farmed that year and moved to Atlantic were he worked in the county engineer’s office for 41 years. He then worked at Akins Hardware for 22 years. Kenneth liked to keep busy and scooped snow for “old people” thru this past winter. Kenneth and Pearl are members of the Zion Lutheran Church.
They enjoyed collecting rocks and belonged to the Nishna Valley Mineral and Gem Club. They spent their vacations collecting rocks and shared their collection with the elementary children at the school for many years. Kenneth and Pearl belonged to the Whirl-A-Ways square dance club for 12½ years and also enjoyed ballroom dancing up until last year. They enjoyed meeting their friends for breakfast at the Downtowner and spending time with family and friends
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Pearl, of Atlantic; nephews, Charles Pierce, of Oakland, IA, Albert (Betty) Shank of Illinois, Steve (Pam) Reed of Atlantic and Robin (Verlee) Reed of Minnesota; nieces, Barb (Earl) Johnson and Cheryl (Jeff) Lowe; grand nephews, Terry (Debbie) Pierce and Jerry (Suzanne) Pierce of Oakland; grand nieces, Becky Jo Pierce and Tami (Sid) Skank of Oakland; other nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald R. Campbell; sisters, Lela Shank and Mildred Reed; and a niece, Dona Joann Pierce.
There will be an open visitation at the Roland Funeral Home daily from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm with a family visitation to be held at the funeral home Tuesday evening, March 6, from 5:00 - 7:00. Services for Kenneth will be held on Wednesday, March 7, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, at 10:30 am with Pastor Kenneth Davidson officiating. A military service will be held on the church lawn following the service with a lunch at the church after services. The committal will be at a later date.
The Roland Funeral Home is caring for Kenneth's family and is arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left on their website at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.