Loretta M Campbell

Loretta Mae Oakley Campbell, the daughter of Willard and Lula Oakley, was born January 3, 1933, in Audubon, Iowa, and died August 5, 2025, at the Audubon Hospital at the age of 92.

Loretta was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. She attended Audubon Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1951. On September 16, 1951, Loretta was united in marriage to Richard Campbell at the Presbyterian Church in Audubon, and four children were born to this union. They first lived in Denison, Iowa, where they both worked at the furniture store. In 1953, they returned to Audubon and began their lifetime of farming. In 1973, they purchased the Campbell family farm. They proudly accepted the Century Farm Award in 1993, and the farm has now been in the family for 132 years. Loretta’s “two week part time job” at the Audubon County Courthouse turned into 34 years. She became the first female Assessor for Audubon County.

Richard and Loretta purchased Loretta’s childhood home in Audubon in 1998. Richard died in 2005. Loretta continued living in their home before moving to the Exira Care Center in October of 2023.

Preceding Loretta in death were her husband Richard, her parents, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Dorothy Campbell; her sister and husband Lenore and Pap LaFoy, her brother Charles and wife Donna; brother-in-law Dean Cramer; and many beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Survivors include Loretta’s children: Kathy and husband, Gene Thomsen of Council Bluffs, IA; Jane and husband, David Phalen of Clear Lake, IA; Linda and husband, Kent Gaulter of Urbandale, IA; and David Campbell of Audubon, IA; eleven grandchildren: Mark Thomsen, Jonathan Thomsen, Christopher Phalen, Anna Delaney, Emily Zrostlik, Jessica Hane, Julia Gaulter, Andy Campbell, Jennifer Wanser, Jamie Bailey, Adam Campbell; nineteen great-grandchildren, her sister Donna Cramer, sisters-in-law Donna Granneman and her husband Wayne, Sherry Campbell, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Loretta’s family appreciates the many expressions of sympathy and love. We are thankful for the care Mom received at the Exira Care Center, and support from the community of Audubon.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 09, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Carla Evers officiating the service. Interment will follow the funeral at Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church.

Public visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the funeral, also at the church on Saturday.

Memorials may be directed to the Campbell Family. They will be designated at a later date in memory of Loretta, and they may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA, 50025.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Audubon.