Obit: Campbell, Mary Ellen #2 (1954 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Campbell, Smith, Serchen, Hart, Best, Weber, Jennerman

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 4/13/2016

Campbell, Mary Ellen (9 May 1954 - 7 April 2016)

Mary Ellen Campbell, 61, of Neillsville passed away with her family at her side Thursday, April 7, 2016. She was born May 9, 1954, in Dickey County, NC, to Kenneth E. and Leona M. Smith. Mary Ellen was raised and graduated high school in Neillsville.

Mary Ellen worked two years at the Model Laundry and Dry Cleaners. She began her 38-year career at Mallegni’s Supermarket in the bakery, later becoming manager and professional cake decorator, staying on through seven ownership changes. Later, she finished her career working for Kwik Trip in the bakery. She decorated a wide variety of cakes throughout her career, including g birthday, wedding and specialty cakes such as the fully edible, three-dimensional four-wheeler for Nelson Muffler. Mary Ellen enjoyed a tradition she stared many years ago of baking and personally distributing a wide variety of Christmas cookies with many family, friends and neighbors.

On multiple occasions, Mary Ellen was asked to display and demonstrate her quilling art at Tufts’ Museum. Later, she had an original design published in Priscilla Hauser’s art book. She loved to participate in dance classes and was a member of a dance club, which performed six times on state for the public.

She enjoyed being a Goat keeper, at one point caring for a herd of 22. She was invited to show her goats at Neillsville Heritage Days on several occasions, typically bringing a doe and twins. Her hobbies included oil painting, making her own books, macramé, basket weaving, sewing and embroidery and collecting salt and pepper shakers and goat figurines. Photography was one of her great interests, periodically being asked to be the wedding photographer.

Mary Ellen appreciated intricate basket designs, collecting varying shapes and sizes made of unique materials, as well as delighting in the beauty of all plants and flowers. She cherished all living creatures, with a special fondness for squirrels and chipmunks, and she loved snails because the circular nature of their shells inspired thought of infinity.

Mary Ellen had been a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church since 2001.

She will be remembered by her son, Michael J. Campbell of Cypress, TX; her sister, Elizabeth A. (Dave) Serchen of Marshfield; her brother, Charles E. (Stacy Mae Hart) Smith of Merrillan; gentleman friend, Gale Best of Mondovi; honorary daugher, Kathy Weber of Houston, TX; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, friend and neighbors. She is also survived by her sweet, sweet, Dancer dog, a purebred Alaskan Husky.

She was predeceased by her parents; Richard “Shot” Campbell and her beloved canine companion Gumby.

Visitation for Mary Ellen was held Sunday, April 10, 2016, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services were Monday, April 11, 2016, with additional visitation beginning at 10 a.m. All took place at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 316 West Fifth Street Neillsville.

Casketbearers were: Michael Campbell, Charles E. Smith, Gale Best, Jason Jennerman, Clifford Jennerman and Austin Jennerman.

Mary Ellen enjoyed life and cared deeply.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home assisted Mary Ellen’s family with funeral arrangements.

 

 


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