Evelyn Campbell, age 100, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater, South Dakota.

Visitation will be Friday, February 5, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Masks and social distancing are requested. A private service will be held on Saturday, Interment will be at Greenhill Cemetery following the service.

Born on the family farm near Alexandria, South Dakota, as the oldest of three children of Frank and Anna Straka (Kissinger), a young Evelyn developed a fondness for animals, cats in particular. She and her two sisters, Bea and Vera, attended a one room rural school through eighth grade. Evelyn's mom died when she was just 15 years old, leaving her and her sisters to grow up quickly.

Evelyn graduated from Alexandria High School. As a young woman, she worked at a bakery in Sioux Falls. She married her husband James S. (Casey) Campbell at 29 and raised their two daughters in Alexandria. Evelyn enjoyed handiwork projects; she embroidered hundreds of kitchen flour sack towels and crocheted borders on receiving blankets for the babies of numerous family members. Evelyn loved everything about garage sales – preparing for them, hosting them, and the ongoing challenge of finding a bargain. Evelyn dressed the pheasants Jim brought home and spent endless hours in the kitchen cooking and baking everyone's favorite foods, especially chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls, and apple pies. As she prepared for the large Christmas dinner often hosted at her home, the front entry would be filled with an abundance of holiday baked goods and candies.

Evelyn taught Sunday School when her girls were young and was actively involved in Ladies Aid for many years. Her Christian faith was always an important aspect of her life. She began working at Folsom's Grocery store, later becoming Jarding's Market, in 1966, retiring in 1994 at age 74. She worked the front register but spent most of her time in the meat department. Pets were often a part of her life, but Peaches, her orange and white cat, held a special place in her heart.

In 2017, Evelyn moved to the Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater where she subsequently passed away. Evelyn demonstrated kindness in a nonjudgmental manner to all she encountered. She will be remembered for her happy demeanor, helpfulness, and for the love she had for her family. Evelyn was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

Evelyn's husband Jim, granddaughter Jamie, parents Frank and Annie Straka, siblings and their spouses Bea (Rollie) Geidl and Vera (Arnie) Roskens, mother-in-law and father-in-law James T. and Mary Campbell, brothers-in-law Bob and Earl Campbell, sisters-in-law and spouses Elva (Joe) Santana and Iva (Roland) Twambly, and sister-in-law Shirley Campbell preceded her in death. Evelyn is survived by daughters Mary Ann (Donnie) Rehorst and Linda (Steve Laman) Campbell-Laman, grandchildren Danny (Kelli) Rehorst, Nick (Kristy) Rehorst, and Mariah Laman and her significant other Jared Little, four great grandchildren (Sydney, Mason, Jada, and Blake Rehorst), sister-in-law Dorothy Campbell, and several nieces and nephews.