Obituary - Katherine A. Campbell

Katherine Alice Barbour Campbell, 93, Deary

Katherine A. Campbell, 93, a longtime Deary resident, passed away peacefully at home Dec. 31, 2011.

Katherine was born Aug. 23, 1918, to Perrin Whitman Barbour and Lulu Fountain in Cheney, Wash. She attended school and graduated Clarkston High School in 1936. In a letter of recommendation from the superintendent of the school, she was described as "a refined, capable and vigorous young lady from one of the finest families of this community."

After high school, Katherine went on to attend college, receiving her five-year certificate in general elementary education in 1939 from Lewiston State Normal School, now LCSC.

During her first teaching position, she earned $800 at Rays Ferry School on the Grand Ronde River from 1939-1940. She walked a mile to and from her one-room schoolhouse and taught a class of five, four boys and one girl. During inclement weather, she often stayed overnight in the schoolhouse with what she described as having scantily clad blankets, tying the door shut for safety and eating venison and biscuits for dinner.

In 1940, she returned to college and earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in General Education from Eastern Washington College of Education.

In May 1943, she met Frank A. Campbell, and after a brief courtship they eloped to Walla Walla and married July 11, 1943. They moved to the Deary area in 1945 in a small one-room cabin on Mica Mountain, where Frank mined mica with his father. Soon after, they moved into Deary where they started a family and were happily married for 61 years before his death in 2004.

She taught school at Whitepine School District from 1949 until she retired in 1977, and continued to substitute teach for an additional 10 years. Katherine served as the church organist for Zion Lutheran Church at Deary for more than 30 years, also teaching piano lessons for many years and playing for graduations, weddings and funerals. She was an avid reader, a member of the Order Of Eastern Star and Phi Delta Kappa - Education Honorary and served on the Gritman Hospital Auxiliary. She and Frank also spent many happy times at their property at Silver Creek. Katherine was also known to enjoy "a game of chance."

In recent years, she enjoyed her weekly game of bridge with some of her dearest friends, watching her great-grandsons play sports and spending time with her friend.

Katherine received a Certificate of Recognition from the governor of the state of Idaho for her distinction, loyalty and ability. She was also a descendant of the Marcus Whitman family and was awarded the Oregon Trail Certificate.
Survivors include her daughter and husband; grandsons; two great-grandsons; her sister and husband; and their children. A daughter, Barbara, her husband, Frank, and her parents preceded her in death.

Katherine lived a full and happy life. She embraced her time with family and friends and was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Viewing will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow. A funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday at Short's Funeral Chapel, with Murray Stanton officiating. Burial will follow at the Pinecrest Cemetery in Deary, with a reception and luncheon at the Deary Community Center afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Deary Zion Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.com.

Lewiston Tribune, January 4, 2012, p. 2C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock