Helen Campbell

1921 - 2016

Dec. 4, 1921 - March 23, 2016

Helen Campbell, 94 of Woodland, passed away on March 23. Born to W.F. and Helene Rominger on Dec. 14, 1921, she was raised in Yolo County's Hungry Hollow area. She attended first grade in the one-room Clover School before transferring to Esparto, where she graduated in 1939. She met Henry Herbert "Herb" Campbell in 1937, a handsome young man who became the love of her life when he moved from Indiana to work on the ranches of his aunt, Annette Campbell, her husband, E.A. "Todd" Rominger and his brother, A.H. "Al" Rominger. Six years later, on May 23, 1943, Helen and Herb married and were happily together for 68 years until Herb passed in 2011.

Helen's priorities were her faith, family, and friends. A loving mom and wonderful grandma, her kindness and generosity endeared her to so many throughout her life. In the early 1940s, she worked as a medical secretary at Yolo General Hospital and lived in the nurses' home; it was there that she was known as "The Sunshine Girl." An avid baker, she was famous for the "care packages" that she would send on hunting trips with the men in her family. Her honey cookies would stay fresh and delicious for months! Known for her constant smile-which would light up any room- Helen's blue eyes always sparkled with love and happiness. Helen was a country girl and had many adventures on the family ranch, especially with her dearest friend Lois Parker Richter. She enjoyed spending summers camping with her family in a 16x16 Army tent in California's beautiful outdoors. She loved to entertain and began the tradition of her Rominger cousins' generation annual Christmas party. The evening always began with a bountiful dinner, followed by a night of hearty laughter and pedro. A talented pianist who could "make those piano keys dance," her love of music--and the importance she felt it should play in everyone's life--led her to teach piano lessons in Esparto for over 15 years. Until recently, Helen could recall music that she had played as a young girl and play it again--flawlessly.

She was active in Native Daughters of the Golden West, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Merry-Go-Round Pedro Club. Helen was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Woodland and was baptized there many years ago--when the entire service was in German.

She is survived by her children, Wayne (Richilde), Salmon, Idaho; Joy (Jack McKenzie), College Station, Texas; Sue (Stuart Edell), Durham; and Hank (Melissa), Esparto; eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; cousins; nieces; nephews, and countless friends, also will share her memory. In addition to Herb; son, Phil and a grandson, preceded her in death.

She will be laid to rest in the Rominger plot of the Capay Cemetery in a private service.

Memorials can be made in Helen's name to St. John's United Church of Christ, Woodland; Meals on Wheels, Woodland; or Native Daughters of the Golden West, Woodland Parlor #90.