Kathryn E. (Carlson) Campbell was born on July 4, 1944 in Shenandoah, Iowa, the daughter of Darrel and Gertrude (Graham) Carlson. Kathy entered into the arms of her Lord on Tuesday evening, April 28, 2009 at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa.
Kathy was raised in Essex where she attended school and graduated from high school with the Class of 1962. She later went on to receive her Bachelors Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University. She taught school in Omaha and Denver before making her teaching career with the Essex School System. Kathy taught Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 4th Grade in Essex for some 30 years before her retirement.
Kathy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah, the Presbyterian Women, and served on the church board. She mentored youth in Shenandoah and Essex and volunteered for several groups in the community. She was also involved with a bridge club and Craft Group. Some of her interests included reading, spending time with her family and friends, traveling and playing cards. She had a positive impact on hundreds of youth in her career and was blessed with numerous friends that she treasured. She was a devoted and deeply loved mother and grandmother.
Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Don Campbell and wife Charity of Norwalk, IA, and their children Shae and Cade; and Andy Campbell and wife Bridget of Shenandoah and their children Claire, Jack and Caroline; two brothers, Bill Carlson and wife Pam of Omaha and Charlie Carlson of Shenandoah; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Celebration of Life Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church in Shenandoah with Rev. Rick Sleyster officiating. Attending to the memorial register were Karlene Turner and Julie Griggs while Janet Walker and Anne Mishou cared for the flowers. Ushers for the service were Art Demanett, Tom Brodersen, Ray Graves and Don Nelson. Terry Stafford played the organ, while Doris Broderson sung, "Children Of The Heavenly Father" and "Battle Hymn of The Republic" the congregation joined in singing "Living For Jesus". Inurnment followed in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to be used for an educational scholarship.