Jo Ann “Jo” Mary Campbell

Jo Ann “Jo” Mary Campbell, the daughter of John and Valeria (Schmitz) Ebert, was born on August 26, 1938, in Westphalia, Iowa. She attended school in Westphalia until 1952, when her family moved to Harlan, Iowa. She then attended Harlan schools, and graduated from Harlan High School in 1956. On September 29, 1956, Jo married Russell Elliott Campbell at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. The couple lived in Idaho Springs, Colorado, for two years before returning to Harlan to make their home. Jo then worked at Variety Distributors for a short time. In 1962, she began working for Dr. Joe Spearing as a receptionist and nurse in his medical office; she continued in this position for 28 years, until 1990. From 1990 until her retirement in April, 1994, Jo was employed as a secretary at St. Michael’s School. Due to poor health, in June of 2004, she became a resident of the Little Flower Haven Nursing Home in Earling, Iowa.

Jo was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. She and Russ enjoyed working together, making and selling ceramics at craft shows for over 15 years.

Jo Ann “Jo” M. Campbell died on Sunday, December 10, 2006, at the Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, having reached the age of 68 years, 3 months, and 14 days.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, James Ebert; and one infant sister. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Russell Campbell of Harlan, Iowa; three sons, Mike (Mary) Campbell of Kansas City, Missouri, Scott (Paula) Campbell of Tennant, Iowa, and Jerry (Kim) Campbell of Claremore, Oklahoma; two brothers, Donald (Marilyn) Ebert of Shelby, Iowa, and Robert (Shirley) Ebert of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan was in charge of the arrangements.