Bertie Lou Campbell

Aug. 3, 1930 - Dec. 15, 2014

Longtime Blodgett resident Bertie Lou Campbell, 84, died Dec. 15, 2014, at the home of her daughter, Kristin Campbell, in Lebanon.

On Aug. 3, 1930, Bertie Lou was born the 12th child to George Burton Everett and Myrta Olive Christina Gorham in Erick, Beckham County, Oklahoma.

Bertie married James Earl Campbell on June 2, 1950, in Erick, where they continued to live and raise their five children until James' death on Nov. 17, 1957. The following year, Bertie and her children relocated to Corvallis, where Bertie attended Phagan'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. They made their home in Philomath for several years before moving to the farm on the old Devitt Mill Site near Blodgett.

Dick retired from the Pioneer Telephone Company, where he had worked for many years. He and Bertie enjoyed their time on the farm, making apple cider in the fall, tending to the animals and farming.

Bertie 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. She eventually lost both feet to amputation. She was an inspiration to those around her, and always remained optimistic and positive, never complaining about her situation.

In Corvallis Manor while recuperating from surgery, Bertie would be wheeled into the rooms of other patients who also were amputees, for the purpose of cheering them along with her beautiful, infectious smile, and giving them encouragement and hope for their journey. They seemed to do better watching her example, and she loved to assist others where she could.

Bertie was a member of the Summit Quilters, a charter member of the Marys River Quilt Guild, and a McGown certified rug hooking instructor.

Bertie was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Campbell; two sons, Richard and Daniel Campbell; granddaughter Sarah Ann Herb; great-grandson Bear Hanson; and great-granddaughter Audrey Herb.

Survivors include daughters Kristin Campbell of Lebanon, Deveney and husband, Don Herb, of Scio, and Rebecca and husband, Rea Nichols, of Alaska; stepdaughter, Claudia Rosa of Portland; stepson, David Campbell of Washington; grandchildren Amber Nash, Gretchen Lutz, Heather Schaeffer, Brian Holton, Phillip, Christopher and Bradley Herb, Janie, James, Jonathan and Tehani Fisher, and Candice Correa and Amber Elton; and great-grandchildren Ivan, Lucy and Warren Schaeffer, Penelope Lou Holton, Genevieve Ritz, Chase, Conner, Paige, Tanner, Bailey, Tucker, Paul and Maureen Herb, Freedom and Lillikoi Yod, and Genevive, LeoMana, Jamie Fisher, Elaura, Kiona, Leila and Sophia Correa.

A visitation is set for 3 to 7 p.m. today, Friday, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. A celebration of life is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at Blodgett Community Church. Please leave your thoughts and memories for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.