Darlene Campbell

1949 - 2025

Darlene Campbell

July 18, 1949 - August 5, 2025

Darlene J. (Hehl) Campbell, 76, Altoona, WI, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire after an all too brief encounter with pancreatic cancer.

Darlene was born in Eau Claire, WI on July 18, 1949, a daughter of the late Carl and Lucille (Grohn) Hehl. She attended Altoona schools graduating in 1967. Darlene went on to attend UW-Eau Claire earning degrees in chemistry and biology.

She met Donald L. Campbell in 1970, and they were married on May 20, 1972. Together they raised a daughter, Meghan.

Darlene worked as a research assistant and taught chemistry lab courses at UW-Eau Claire for approximately 30 years. She was an avid quilter and belonged to a quilting group for over 30 years. Over the years the group became more than a hobby, it became her circle of friends. She and Don enjoyed hiking nature trails and observing birds and wildflowers.

The two of them travelled the world together, including all 50 states and 6 continents. She enjoyed socializing with her extensive family on both the Campbell and Hehl/Grohn sides. In the last three years, she loved her new role as grandmother and relished time playing with her granddaughter.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Don of over 50 years; her daughter, Meghan (Christian) Lucas; and her granddaughter, Margaret. She also leaves her siblings, Curt Hehl and Lynnette Hehl; her stepbrothers, Loren (Janice) Schwiebert, Weldon (Claire) Schwiebert, and James (Susan) Schwiebert. Darlene is further survived by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Darlene was preceded in death by her father, Carl Hehl; her mother, Lucille Schwiebert; her Stepfather, Albert Schwiebert, her sisters, Jeanne (Everett) Lambrecht and Shirley Hehl; and a Stepbrother, Jerry Schwiebert.

A memorial gathering for Darlene will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. at Chippewa Valley Cremation Services – Celebration of Life Center, 1717 Devney Drive, Altoona, WI 54720.

For those wishing, memorials in Darlene's name are appreciated to Feed My People Food Bank of Eau Claire.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mayo Clinic Health System, the Cancer Center, and the Critical Care Unit of MCHS for their kind and compassionate care of Darlene.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services - Celebration of Life Center in Altoona is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.chippewavalleycremation.com.