Evan "Joan" Campbell

Joan Campbell age 88, passed peacefully in Helena, Mont., on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in her daughter's home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family friends.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 15 Airport Road in Glasgow, Mont. Food, refreshments and memories shared following service. 

Evan "Joan" Campbell came into this world on June 19, 1935, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, to her proud parents, Harold and Alba Powell. She was the second of five children and the only girl. She loved her childhood in Regina and had many good and funny stories about her childhood with her four brothers. This was the subject of a book she wrote titled, "On the Seven Block," which includes many pictures and stories from that time. She enjoyed a successful early career working for the city of Regina. She was always very proud of being a Canadian.

In late 1963 while vacationing in the United States with friends, she had a chance meeting with Harry Campbell; a USAF officer and pilot stationed at the Glasgow Air Force Base. They met at El Cor Del Bowling Lanes in Glasgow, where they had stopped for refreshments and directions to Fort Peck Dam. As the story goes, Harry offered to take them to see it the next day and give them a tour of Fort Peck, the dam, the airbase and all of Glasgow and surrounding area. This chance meeting led to several months of courting. In this time Joan got to know and love Harry. They were happily married on April 14, 1964, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Joan moved to Glasgow, joining Harry, his son David, and his nephew, Jack (Moilan), both teenagers, and her new mother-in-law Josephine. Not long after, Harry retired from the USAF, David graduated from high school and soon moved to Texas. Jack and Nana returned to California. In these early years they also welcomed their three children: Craig, Karen, and Carl. Around 1973 they moved to a rural acreage west of Glasgow. Jack returned from California joining the family again not long after that. In these years she and her family made many memories and enjoyed many good times with neighbors whose friendships have endured through all her years in Glasgow.

Joan was a woman of deep faith and love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent speaker and could pray over an event or crises with reverence and grace. She often stated "I thank the Lord daily; as despite some hardships in my life, I have always felt especially blessed." She was a great conversationalist and storyteller and knew how to tell a good joke. She had a fierce love of reading, and was a talented writer.  She was very artistic and creative, and over the years attended art classes to advance her skills. She was a student of learning her entire life, taking various online college courses into her early 80's. She loved watching figure skating and always enjoyed a good hockey game. In her 60 years in Glasgow, she enjoyed bowling; which she was very good at, her homemakers group, and many other countless social groups and activities. Joan worked for many years for the Glasgow School District starting as the Attendance clerk at GHS. She retired more than 30 years later as an administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Schools.

Joan was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother to her family. A trusted friend and confidant for those who knew her well. Most of all she was a remarkable mother, loving her blended family and raising her three young children with love, faith and unsurpassed strength after the unexpected passing of their beloved father and her husband Harry in 1980. 

Joan was preceded in death by her husband Harry Campbell; niece Debbie Moilan; parents Harold and Alba Powell; nephew Kevin Powell; son David Campbell; twin great-grandsons Maddix and Rowan; brother Leonard Powell; sister-in-law Brenda Powell; and her son-in-law Paul Rickman; as well as very dear friends. 

She is survived by her children, Craig Campbell (Tudi), Karen Rickman and Carl Campbell (Mandy); three brothers Herb Powell (Julia), Grant Powell (Joyce) and Jim Powell (Jill); 16 nieces and nephews; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and friends she held dear.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to your favorite charity. Condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.