Mona A. Campbell

Mona A. Campbell, 91, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Aase Haugen Home in Decorah, IA. Per her wishes, no services will be held. Memorials may be directed to the PEO Chapter EK c/o Linda Johanningmeier, 1033 Highway 76, Waukon, IA 52172, or to Cottey College at https://cottey.edu/give. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.

Mona Ann Campbell was born March 31, 1932, in Prairie City, IA, to John and Edna (Borene) Van Steenbergen. She was baptized and became a member of the Prairie City Methodist (later United Methodist) Church. Mona graduated from Prairie City High School in 1950. During high school, she was employed at Prairie City Lumber Company as a bookkeeper. Following high school, she graduated from Iowa State Teacher’s College (later UNI) with a BA in junior high school education. Later, Mona continued her education at Drake University in Des Moines, Marycrest College in Davenport, Luther College in Decorah, and Iowa State University in Ames. She taught upper grade levels at Toledo, Beaman-Conrad, and Postville, IA, for a total of 32 years, as well as Saginaw, MI, for one year and Waukon Special Needs for a semester. She retired in 1996.

Mona enjoyed athletics. While in high school, she excelled in basketball, which was the only girls’ sport offered at the time, and was named All-State as a sophomore to the fourth team, and first team as a junior and senior. In 1964, Mona was named to the Iowa State Girl’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Her love of sports carried on through golf for many of her adult years. Also in high school, she earned honors in music contests on saxophone and piano and sang in both large and small groups.

Mona married Robert Lewis Campbell on June 5, 1955, and they lacked three months of being married 50 years upon his passing. They raised two children: Margaret Ellen and Robert John.

Mona enjoyed sewing for herself and Margaret and liked completing various types of handiwork. Her favorite pastime was reading, and she also played in a bridge club and various bridge foursomes. She enjoyed crosswords and jigsaw puzzles as well as Sudoku. Mona loved traveling, annually making trips to Minnesota and Canada, and sailed the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea as well. She also ventured to Niagara Falls, New York City, Chicago, Florida, the Grand Canyon, and Hawaii several times.

Since 1951, Mona has been a member of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization for women) and attended their Cottey College in Missouri for several summers. Mona also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary since 1967.

As a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Waukon, she could never say no when asked to help. Using her talents for singing and playing piano, she sang in the choir and played for church services as needed. She also devoted time to the church as a Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, at various duties as the circle requested, and was superintendent of church school for many years.

Mona is survived by her daughter Margaret Anderson of Largo, FL; son Robert (Marilyn) Campbell of Decorah, IA; as well as three granddaughters: Emma and Tess Anderson and Leslie Campbell. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Bob in 2005; and sister Marilyn (Waldo) Frankenstein.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.