Frances G. Campbell

Frances G. Campbell (Larson) died October 3rd, 2011 in the home of her daughter Laurie Campbell-DeRosa in Framingham, MA. A Memorial Service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, IA, in the spring.

Frances was born August 4th 1920 to Arthur and Genette (Ask) Larson in Frankville Township, Decorah, IA. She was one of eight children, having four brothers and three sisters. She was baptized and confirmed at the Washington Prairie Church. She graduated from Decorah High School and attended Luther College.


Frances lived in Detroit, Michigan during WWII. She married Michael J. Campbell, also from Waukon, in a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois on November 4, 1945. Michael worked at the B&B Clothing Store while Frances worked for Dr. Roy Wheat, DDS before they bought and operated the Model Café for five years. During this time Frances was very active at St. John's Lutheran Church belonging to the Women's Ladies Aid, the Mothers' Club, and the Nineteenth Century Study Club. They also belonged to the Waukon Country Club, the Decorah Elks Club, and the VFW. Frances and Mike shared a love of music, dance, cards and enjoying their wonderful friends in Waukon with whom they remained close all of their lives.


After selling the Model Café, they moved to Milwaukee when Mike took employment with the R.L. Polk Company. The family moved many times, living in Overland Park, Kansas, Livonia, Michigan, Framingham, Massachusetts and finally Canton, Michigan.

When Mike retired, they returned to Waukon in 1986. Mike died in 1986 from cancer. Frances cared for him with great love and compassion in their home until his death. Frances enjoyed her life in Waukon for the next 20 years, spending time with old friends and resuming many activities at St John's.


Her greatest passion was for her four children, three grandchildren, and extended family. Frances' children are spread across the country in Illinois, Kansas, Ohio and Massachusetts. Many in Waukon knew that Frances was "on the road again" visiting one of her four children when her front drapes were closed. Her children loved her dearly and for each one she carved out a special place.


Her oldest son Richard had a long tradition of calling his mother every Saturday morning for 40 years at 9:00 a.m. She helped Richard and his wife Mary move into their new home in Lenexa, KS.

Frances helped her eldest daughter Kathleen and her husband Bill restore their hundred year old house in Chicago, including wallpapering and sewing thousands of yards of draperies. She worked tirelessly, saying there were only two things she would never do again; "build a brick wall and paint an old cellar".


Frances was a special grandmother, who visited and cared for her grandchildren, Jacqueline, Nicholas and Michael DeRosa, often. Frances was there to drive her daughter Laurie to the hospital for the delivery of her third child Michael with Jacqueline and Nicholas in the backseat! When Laurie returned to work, Frances supported her by providing loving care to her grandchildren. Most important is the love and spirit she left with her grandchildren who love her very much.


Her youngest son Mark took her on a two week safari to Kenya, Africa. This was a magical experience for both of them. Mark was able to share his passion for wildlife and his fight to save endangered animals with his biggest fan. Frances could not believe that a farm girl from Iowa was in Africa looking at giraffe, rhino and lions!

When Frances' health failed, she moved to a nursing home in Chicago close to Kathleen. Her life came to peaceful end in the loving home of her daughter Laurie surrounded by her grandchildren and family.


Survivors include her four children; Richard (Mary) Campbell of Kansas City, Kathleen (Dr. Wm. Chamberlin) Campbell of Chicago, Laurie (Dennis) Campbell-DeRosa of MA., and Dr. Mark Campbell, DVM of Cincinnati; three grandchildren, Jacqueline, Nicholas and Michael DeRosa of MA; her brother, Norval (Pat) Larson of Lansing, MI; her sister, Virginia Rumbaugh of Chicago, IL; sisters-in-law, Darlene (Leslie) Larson of Elk Grove, IL and Gloria (Walter) Larson of Waukon, IA; and many wonderful nieces and nephews and the Campbell family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Michael Campbell; two sisters, Minnie Larson and Lorraine Reniger; and three brothers, Arnold, Leslie and Walter Larson.


Memorial donations can be made to Frances Campbell % of Kathleen Campbell, 6742 S. Constance, Chicago, IL 60649.