Jerald Lee Campbell, 92, of Kingsley, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
Funeral service will be Monday, Nov. 16, at Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument with Pastor Matt Martin officiating. Burial will follow at Kingsley Cemetery. Graveside military honors will be conducted by American Legion-Nash Post 140 of Kingsley and Harrison Petersen American Legion Post 291 of Pierson. Visitation with family present will be 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. 2026, and there will be a service conducted by Rich Krosch at 5 p.m., all at the funeral home. Services have been entrusted to Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument, www.kingsleyfh.com.
Jerry was born on June 17, 1934, in Kingsley, to Marion “Has” and Avis (Grubb) Campbell. He was raised near Kingsley and graduated from Kingsley High School in 1952. After high school he worked for several farmers in the Kingsley area and the Sioux City Stockyards before entering the U.S. Army. He served from May 1954 to May 1956.
On July 23, 1955, Jerry married Shirley Ann Niebuhr at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Germantown. They lived near Fort Bragg, N.C., while Jerry served in the Army. Following his discharge he began working at Omar Bakery in Sioux City before returning to the Kingsley area, where Jerry worked for Flewelling Farm and Construction while also farming in the area.
In 1968, the couple moved to their farm northeast of Pierson, where they raised their family. Jerry and Shirley shared 65 years of marriage before her passing in 2020. Jerry moved into Kingsley the following year.
Jerry was actively involved in several organizations and served on numerous boards, including the Kingsley-Pierson School Board, Plymouth County Coop Board, Farmers Elevator of Kingsley and Cherokee County Zoning Board. In 1976 Jerry was named a Master Pork Producer by the Iowa Pork Producers and Iowa State University. He had a passion for restoring John Deere tractors, and many of his peers considered him an expert. He frequently received calls from people across the country seeking his knowledge and advice. Jerry belonged to several antique tractor clubs and enjoyed traveling with Shirley to tractor rides throughout Iowa, Wisconsin and South Dakota. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took great pleasure in attending their many sports events and activities.
Survivors include his children: Roger Campbell of Kingsley; Leann (Dewey) Bates of Yankton, S.D.; Kristi (Charlie) Spink of Kingsley; Lee (Stacy) Campbell of Pierson; and Marsha (Lonnie) Klaschen of Washta. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Tara (Sean) Bryant, David (Amanda) Campbell, Lana Ann (Nate) Eriksen, Joshua (Isabella) Campbell, Codylee (Meredith) Riedmann, Jerret Spink (Ashley Horn), Brodie Spink, Zoe (Cale) Johnson, Kendra Campbell (Brad Andresen), Tyler Campbell (Lauren Rassel), Austin Campbell, Kaylee Campbell, Cody (Debbie) Klaschen, Boomer (Kassie) Klaschen, Kiley Klaschen (Dallas Kampfe), and Amanda (Brody) Auen; great-grandchildren: Jakob (Ashley) and Kylie Bryant; Russell, Sailor and Asa Campbell; Eddie, Lathan and Jerry Eriksen; Hope and Ezekiel Campbell, Paisley and Kolter Andresen; Carter, Baylee (Michael Kjose), Aiden and Kennedy Klaschen; Holden and Bennett Klaschen; Emery Auen; Evan Kampfe and one on the way.
He is also survived by his sister Karen Ray of Largo, Fla.; sister-in-law Sally Niebuhr of Des Moines; several nieces, nephews and friend Shirley Nilles.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Marion “Has” and Avis; his wife Shirley; his son Russell; his brother-in-law Jerry Ray; and Lyle Niebuhr, Vernon Niebuhr and Bob Niebuhr.
Casket bearers will be David Campbell, Joshua Campbell, Cody Riedmann, Tyler Campbell, Austin Campbell, Jerret Spink, Brodie Spink. Honorary bearers will be Tara Bryant, Lana Eriksen, Kendra Campbell, Kiley Klaschen, Amanda Auen, Zoe Johnson, Kaylee Campbell.
In lieu of gifts and flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to the family for local charities. Please send them to C/O Jerald Campbell family, Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument, P. O. Box 363, Kingsley, IA 51028.
