Caroline Ernestine Campbell

October 28, 1933 – August 24, 2025

On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Caroline “Carrie” Ernestine Campbell, age 91, passed away unexpectedly. Our family lost a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed.

Caroline was born on October 28, 1933, in Kewanee, Illinois, to Virgil H. and Ernestine Teckla (Bjornson) Fisher. During her father’s military service, the family moved to several East Coast towns before settling in Goldendale, Washington. She graduated from Goldendale High School in 1952, where she was an active student and received a letter award. Her extracurricular involvement included the Board of Control, Yell Leader, Girls League Cabinet, Torch Honor, Chorus, Freshman Play Cast, Band, Usher Squad, and Pep Club. Following high school she went on to Ellensburg, WA where she attended Central Washington College (now known as Central Washington University).

In 1956, Caroline married Elmer Junior Kemp in San Francisco, California. The couple settled in Naches, Washington, where they owned and operated Kemp’s Logging Company. They had two children: Gregory and Debra (Debbie). After Elmer’s passing from leukemia, Caroline moved to Oregon, and in 1964, she married Dr. Edmund Campbell in Idaho. Together they had two children: Elizabeth and Edmund. The family lived in Lake Oswego, Oregon, until her divorce in 1970, after which she relocated to Yakima, Washington.

In Yakima, Caroline enjoyed a long and successful career in real estate with Century 21, and later accepted a position with EPIC as assistant to the executive director. She found great fulfillment in that role, managing properties, working closely with boards of directors, and assisting on special projects alongside director Ed Ferguson. During her time at EPIC, she also attended and graduated, as the first in her family, with a college degree. She managed all while raising four successful children as a single mother. Wherever she went, friendships bloomed effortlessly around her.

After the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Elizabeth in 2004, Caroline took great comfort in caring for Elizabeth’s beloved West Highland White Terriers, Mack and Jack. She retired from EPIC in 2005.

Caroline had a passion for home improvement, loved updating her house and gardens and also became an expert in making the most beautiful wood fiber flower arrangements. She enjoyed movies, sewing (often designing and making her own clothing), and was famously competitive during the family’s holiday BINGO games. Her lifelong love of ice cream included favorites like Tin Roof Sundaes, Ben & Jerry’s “Phish Food,” Blizzards, McFlurrys, and caramel sundaes. Fondly known by her family as the “cheater Grandma,” she was notorious for bending the rules during family gift exchanges, much to everyone’s amusement. She also loved Olive Garden and celebrated many birthdays and family events there. Her commitment to the lottery began with its very first ticket in Washington in 1984—and never wavered. She also enjoyed spending her weekends as a cashier at Yakima Meadows, where the energy of horse racing made the job feel more like fun than work. Her enthusiasm was infectious, often drawing family members out to the track to share in the excitement.

Caroline is survived by her daughter Debbie Johnson of Yakima, WA, and son Edmund Campbell (Theresa) of Lincoln City, OR. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Carissa Worthy, Christin James (David), Carrie Firestone (Jeremy), Greg Kemp Jr. (Brittany), Ethan Campbell, Alex Campbell, and Zack Campbell; and great-grandchildren: Ashleigh, Brendyn, Cohen, Alleigh, Kyleigh, Kameryn, Cooper, and Kaden and Amara. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Teckla Fisher; sister, June Hastings; son, Gregory Kemp Sr.; daughter, Elizabeth Campbell; niece, Connie Hastings; and nephew; Scott Hastings.

Visitation will be held at Keith and Keith Funeral Home on Sunday September 21, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Keith and Keith Funeral Home in Yakima (webcast available at *******), followed by burial at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved daughter