Bertie Lou Campbell

Long-time resident of Blodgett, Bertie Lou Campbell, 84, died December, 15, 2014 in Lebanon at the home of her daughter, Kristin Campbell. On August 3, 1930, Bertie Lou was the twelfth child born to George Burton Everett and Myrta Olive Christina Gorham in Erick, Beckham County, Oklahoma. Bertie married James Earl Campbell in Erick, on June 2, 1950 where they continued to live and raise their five children until his death on November 17, 1957. The following year, Bertie and her children relocated to Corvallis where she attended Fagan’s Beauty College and subsequently, worked at the Benton Hotel Beauty Salon to support her family. On June 2, 1962 Bertie married Richard C. Campbell in Eugene making their home in Philomath for several years before moving to the farm located near Blodgett on the old Devitt Mill Site. Dick retired from the Pioneer Telephone Company where he had worked for many years and he and Bertie enjoyed their time on the farm, making apple cider in the fall, tending to the animals and farming. She loved taking care of the chickens and the bounty of fresh eggs they provided. Her gardens were beautiful and she could grow just about anything. As she aged, the garden dwindled in size, but her love for flowers and garden remained. Besides her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Bertie’s passion was quilting, rug hooking and braiding, despite her handicap of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which left her hands and feet bent and crooked, eventually, losing both feet to amputation. She was an inspiration to those around her and always remained optimistic and positive, never complaining about her situation. In the Corvallis Manor while recuperating from surgery, Bertie would be wheeled into other patients room, who would also be an amputee, for the purpose of cheering them along with her beautiful, infectious smile and giving them encouragement and hope for their journey, they seem to do better watching her example and she loved to assist others where she could. Bertie was a member of the Summit Quilters, charter member of the Mary’s River Quilt Guild, and a McGowan Rug Hooking Instructor. Bertie is preceded in death by her husband, Dick Campbell, and two sons, Richard and Daniel Campbell; gdaughter, Sarah Ann Herb; ggrandson, Bear Hanson and ggdaughter, Audrey Herb. She is survived by daughters, Kristin Campbell of Lebanon; Deveney and husband, Don Herb of Scio; Rebecca and husband Rea Nichols of Alaska. Step-daughter, Claudia Rosa of Portland and step-son, David Campbell of Washington. Grandchildren: Amber Nash, Gretchen Lutz, Heather Schaffer, Brian Holton, Phillip, Christopher and Bradley Herb, Janie, James, Jonathan and Tehani Fisher, Candice Correa, and Amber Elton. ggchildren: Ivan, Lucy and Warren Schaffer; Chase, Conner, Paige, Tanner, Bailey, Tucker, Paul and Maureen Herb; Freedom and Lillikoi Yod; Genevive, LeoMana, Jamie Fisher, Elaura, Kiona, Leila, Sophia Correa. A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7 pm Friday, December 19th at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A Celebration of Life is planned for 2:00 pm, Saturday, December 20th at Blodgett Community Church.

Tributes

Bertie Lou Campbell

August 3, 1930 - December 15, 2014