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Ellen Mae Reed Campbell, age 97, of Stillwater, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2026 at the St. Croix Health Center in New Richmond, WI. She was born Jan 4, 1929 in River Falls, WI to Eunice and Everall Reed. She started kindergarten at age 4 and graduated from River Falls High School in 1946 having been involved in band, orchestra, girls chorus, the junior and senior plays and was the 1945 Junior Prom Queen. After graduating at the age of 17, she attended UW River Falls where she met Oliver Campbell, a returning WWII vet, in her algebra class. After tutoring him and spending more time together, she said he bought her a gift: an engagement ring and they married on June 5, 1948.
They lived in St Paul where she worked as a mail clerk/rate clerk at State Farm from 1948-1960. She then went to work at Del Larsen Studios from 1960-1972. They had moved to Woodbury in 1957 where they resided until moving to Big Cornelian Lake north of Stillwater in 1964.
After retirement she volunteered guiding tours at the Washington County Historical Museum for 25 years.
Ellen and Oliver spent 25 years hunting grouse and pheasant along with their dogs. They had 6 different dogs over the years. They golfed all over MN and WI as well as traveled to Lake Havasu, AZ. They loved to play cards and had an ongoing game of scrabble over the years.
They hosted many friends and family at the lake, cruising on the pontoon and grilling. They had an annual 4th of July picnic at their place and spent most holidays and birthdays with extended family. After Oliver died in 1998, just 10 months after they moved to the Cottages in Stillwater, Ellen continued to travel to see the nieces and nephews in Washington and Oregon every summer.
Ellen has always been a part of the United Methodist Church from River Falls to Woodbury to Stillwater, she continued her spiritual journey. She enjoyed the mission commission, prayer shawl knitting group, UMW, circles and weekly Bible class. She delivered flowers to others along with her infectious smile. She was affectionately known as the “coffee lady” and worked in the kitchen for most events at the church.
After 2020 she rarely left her place so continued to connect with friends and family via zoom (she was a techy one) and phone, as well as neighbors for afternoon gatherings in her garage. Her neighbors and friends continued to support her with meals and great conversation even as she transitioned to an apartment last year.
Ellen is survived by her sister, Julie; her nieces and nephews Cathy, Dan, Randy, Cindy, Gwen, Doug, Robin, Pam, Bob Jr, Jason, Barb, Karen, Pat, Scott and all of their families; as well as her dear friends (you know who you are). She is preceded in death by her loving husband Oliver, her parents, her siblings Donna, Pat and Eileen.
Please wear red on May 16th in honor of Ellen
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:00 am at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St.) in River Falls. Visitation will also be Saturday, May 16th from 10:00-11:00 am. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial to UMCOR the United Methodist missions at umcmissions.org
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
Click here to watch Ellen’s memorial service on May 16th at 11:00 am
4 Comments
Ellen was my oldest sister. I remember spending time with them in Woodbury and at their lake place. She was always so full of life and smiling all the time. She loved to bake and always brought some awesome goodies to gatherings; Ellen was so caring and would always offer comfort and advice if I was hurting. I had the opportunity to spend the night with Ellen when I would come down to Stillwater once a month for luncheons with some of my classmates. We would typically play cards and reminisce. I will greatly miss her but have some wonderful memories.
I met Ellen through the Washington County Historical Society, she was the sweetest person with a never ending smile. She was widowed for a long time, she carried on kept busy. Fondly remembering Ellen as she reunites with Oliver. Dave Stepan
Ellen was the aunt of my late husband, Wayne Collamore.
We loved visiting Ellen and Oliver at their lovely lake home when we went up north.
She always made everyone feel welcome and always had a beautiful warm smile.
RIP Aunt Ellen
Ellen was married to my father‘s brother Oliver Campbell. Aunt Ellen was my dearest and most loved aunt anyone could ever ask for. Aunt Ellen was my rock, always there and always present for me since I was a child. She was my friend, my mother and kind, my teacher, my family. Aunt Ellen was my dearest and most loved aunt anyone could ever ask for. I will miss her for always while I’m on this earth. God willing, I will see this beautiful kind, loving woman once again. My deepest sympathy and love to her family and friends Barbara Buckmaster – Campbell Washington State.
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