Judith Kay Campfield

Judith Kay Campfield (née Hansen), “Judy,” 88, passed away April 22, 2026, surrounded by family after an extended hospitalization. She will be reunited in spirit with the love of her life, William “Bill” Campfield, who preceded her in death in December 2025.

Judy was born September 30, 1937, in Audubon, Iowa, to Cleo Alexander Hansen and Helen Esther (Jensen) Hansen. She graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1955.

On July 24, 1956, she married William Ira (Bill) Campfield. Their marriage spanned 69 years. Judy was a devoted spouse and deeply cherished her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother, always prioritizing time with her family.

Her professional life was dedicated to caring for others. She began as an LPN at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines and Pleasantville Care Center before returning to school in the early 1970s to earn her associate degree as a registered nurse. As an RN, she worked for the VA Hospital in Knoxville and later in Des Moines, serving veterans for many years. She was part of an early generation of nurses supporting veterans facing both substance abuse and psychiatric challenges. She balanced this meaningful work while being a devoted wife and mother.

Judy made up for her diminutive size (4'10") with remarkable energy and passion. She enjoyed embroidery, sewing, bridge, cribbage, and many other games. At Christmastime, she filled her home with the warmth of tradition, baking dozens of family cookie recipes that continue to be passed down through generations. She stayed active with golf and walking, and in her later years even played “baseball” at her senior residence alongside Bill.

She was an enthusiastic sports fan, following the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Vikings—though she was known to turn off a close game if the suspense became too much. Judy also took great pride in keeping a clean home, faithfully observing “cleaning day” every Saturday. While her daughters rose to meet her standards, her son Mike (the youngest) got away with just being annoyed that the vacuuming interrupted his cartoon watching.

A lifelong volunteer, Judy served alongside her husband in many roles, including the Danish Sisterhood, Danish Brotherhood, the Iowa State Fair Foundation, the Des Moines Mercy Hospital Surgery Department,and Central Place Family Resource Center. She also supported Bill during his time as Superintendent of the Iowa State Fair Museum.

A member of the Lutheran Church, Judy was active in her congregation while living in Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; her brothers, Stew Hansen and Wendell Hansen; an infant sister, Mary Hansen; and a granddaughter, Tara Ann Johnson.

She is survived by her children: Candace Staar (Brad), Marilyn Woosley (Russ), Judith Hamlin (Pete), and Michael Campfield (Susan); grandchildren: Brian Hamlin (Leslie), Jake Hamlin (AndreaLynn), Kevin Hamlin (Jennifer), Brad Johnson, Joe Campfield, and Jennifer Honnold (Dan); 11 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren, with one more expected in May; sisters: Marlene Fontanini, Karen Anderson, Susan Fisher (Jim), and Kathy Hansen; sister in law Patricia Lee (Orville Luedtke); many nieces and nephews; and her best friend of more than 70 years, Wilma Boatman.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Memorials in Judy’s memory may be directed to the Minneapolis Veterans Home (Veteran’s Activities), Apple Valley Villa Bus Fund, or ChildServe in Johnston, Iowa.

Judy will be deeply missed by her family, but her presence lives on in the values she passed down. This summary cannot capture all the small things that made her so loved. In her own words: “Seems like there was something else I was going to tell you”.