Joellen Faye Campbell

She was born Joellen Faye Schwartzkopf on September 2,1939 to Alex and Pauline Schwartzkopf in Minatare, Nebraska. She was the oldest of 6 children which made her dad’s right-hand man. She milked cows cared for livestock and spent hours riding on the potato planter feeding the potatoes into the ground while her dad drove the tractor. She always valued learning and passed her tests so she could start school at an early age. She attended Minatare school and graduated in 1957. From there it was directly into nursing at West Nebraska General Hospital School of Nursing in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. As a student nurse she met her true love and life partner, James Campbell, when he was a patient. They were married on November 4, 1960, and spent 64 years side by side in life. On August 16, 1961, they welcomed a daughter Jama into their lives.

Joellen graduated from nursing school at WNGH in 1960. Joellen spent most of her years as a nurse working for WNGH, including the transition in 1967 from downtown to its current home on Avenue B in Scottsbluff and its transition from WNGH to Regional West Medical Center in 1988. Through her years as a nurse she worked in a clinic setting, taught at the nursing school, worked Obstetrics and Emergency Room, acted as house supervisor, and lead the development of the preadmission testing clinic. Joellen touched countless lives during her 55 years as a nurse, meeting many in their most difficult moments and celebrating some of their greatest joys. Joellen retired from her work as a nurse in 2015 at the age of 75.

Throughout her life Joellen also worked full time on the farm with her husband Jim. She loved the tedious work of cutting out beets. Her kind heart made sure that she protected the wildlife, moving the killdeer nests before proceeding down the row and carefully replacing it after she had passed through. During harvest she would often drive a truckload of beets to the hospital so she could be the first in line to dump them off at the sugar factory in the morning. She delighted in a cup of coffee with Jim in the morning and was diligent in making sure there was dinner on the table every night. She would often add to her dinner prayer a request that God send anyone in need of a meal to join her table. After her retirement from nursing, she kept busy continuing to care for sheep and goats, milk cows, chickens, her kitties, and her large garden, she also loved canning, sewing, and baking.

Despite staying busy on the farm Joellen still found time to stay active in her community. She valued her time in Job’s Daughters where she served as Honored Queen for Bethel #52 in 1957. Joellen spent several years in a bowling league with her husband and loved working with the local children at Lake Alice 4-H club. She also enjoying crosswords, reading novels, stealing away to fish at Lake McConahay or pulling on a slot machine. She spent many Sunday's playing piano for her church and had a deep love of music that she shared with her grandchildren. No matter how busy she was, she always made time to attend their concerts and delighted in seeing them sing and play their instruments.

Joellen is rejoicing in heaven with her parents Alex and Pauline, brother John, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins and extended family. She is survived and deeply missed by her husband James “Jim” Campbell, daughter Jama Oenning (Rick) - Bayard, NE; grandchildren Kayla Houck - Denver, CO, and James Houck (Kim) - Campbell, NE; great grandchild Colter Houck - Campbell, NE; siblings Jerry Schwartzkopf (Joanne) – Manhattan, KS, Tom Schwartzkopf - Forsyth, MT, Dick Schwartzkopf (Barb) – Omaha, NE, and Susan Wing – Cheyene, WY; and several nieces, nephews, and grand and great nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place in accordance with Joellen's wishes. A memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 26th at the Church of Christ in Minatare, Nebraska with Ken Mickey officiating. A lunch will be provided after the service at the church. Memorials will be designated by the family. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com.