Cecelia Campbell

Cecelia “Ceil” Campbell of Alexandria, MN passed away suddenly at St. Cloud hospital on Sunday, August 7th, at the age of 84 with complications due to a recent diagnosis of recurring lung cancer.

Cecelia “Ceil” Marie (Peterson) Campbell was born on September 23, 1937, in Erdahl, MN, the daughter of Clifford and Edna (Thompson) Peterson.  Ceil was raised in Erdahl, MN where she graduated from Ashby High School.  She went on to attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND where she obtained her nursing degree.

Ceil was united in marriage to Harlan Campbell on August 27, 1962, at the Congregational Church in Alexandria, MN and were later blessed with three children, 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

In Alexandria, Ceil started her nursing career in the Obstetrics Department at Lady of Mercy Hospital and then moved over to the Douglas County Hospital in the same department.  She had the opportunity to assist in the delivery and caring of numerous babies in her career to the point of seeing the next generation being born.  She was well known for guessing a baby’s weight within a few ounces just by holding them.  She later moved over to the Broadway Medical Clinic where she worked with the internal medicine team for 20 years before retiring.

Ceil enjoyed keeping busy.  She could be found tending to her flower gardens, adding yet another treasured plant and loved visiting and taking people through her gardens.  She loved to travel, go on random road trips and go camping with family.  Ceil loved her family fiercely and enjoyed any opportunity to have them all gathered.  Family gatherings always had playing dice and card games on the agenda.  “Granny Fluff” to her grandchildren, she loved attending as many of their events as humanly possible and it wasn’t uncommon to go to multiple events in the same day in different cities and sometimes different states. She loved people and doing things with and for people, either alone or as a member of a group or organization.

Ceil was active in numerous organizations in Alexandria and loved to keep busy.  The calendar was always full of activities with the Master Gardener group, the Alexandria Garden club, PEO, the Senior Companion program, being a patient sitter at the hospital, numerous church group activities and multiple card playing groups, to name a few.

She was an extraordinary woman who lived her life to the fullest and made an impact on her family and those she encountered along the way.  She will be missed by many!

Ceil was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Edna Peterson; her sister, Emogene Goulet; and brother, Eugene Peterson.  She is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Harlan of Alexandria, MN; children, Don (Rolene) Clarquist of Brandon, MN, Nancy (Jerry) Bogen of Fergus Falls, MN and Ross Campbell of nearby area; Grandchildren:  Angie Clarquist, Michelle (Dustin) Lorentz, Tanya (Rob) Graham, Dusty Clarquist, Isaac Vatnsdal, Jordan Salgat, Bailey (Lucas) Campbell, Cody (Janet) Campbell; Rustin (Julie) Robinson, Rydell (Ashley) Robinson, Radley (Lindsey) Robinson; Great-grandchildren:  Axel Campbell, Tyson Hoelscher, Blake Hoelscher, Jackson Lorentz, Zoey Graham, Nellie Graham, Louie Graham, Gaige Robinson, Nevaeh Robinson, Haloh Robinson, Renen Robinson, Reyn Robinson, Rowen Robinson, Ridge Robinson, Cowen Boop, Wesley Boop and Kipton Lloyd.

A celebration of Ceil’s life will take place on Saturday, August 13th, 2022, at 10 AM at the First Congregation UCC in Alexandria, MN.  A visitation will be for held one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria, MN.