Anita Margaret Campbell, 78, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was a kind, creative, loving, supportive, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend.

On a lovely Sunday afternoon, September 8, 1947, Vivian and Marcus Mueller of Lake Henry, Minnesota, traveled to a St. Cloud hospital, where their first of seven children, Anita Margaret, was born. She grew up on the family dairy farm and, as farming in the 1950s was hard work, learned responsibility early. Anita milked cows at age 8 and drove the tractor at 10, while also looking after her growing number of brothers and sisters. Her early education took place in a small two-room school in Lake Henry, Minnesota, where she studied through 8th grade. She then attended high school in Paynesville, Minnesota, where new friends, teachers, and interests abounded. Art and art education became her goal in life, and she graduated with honors in 1965. Following graduation, she chose to further her education at the University of Minnesota Duluth, the first in her extended family to attend college.

Entering college, she was determined to become an art major. In the spring of 1966, Anita traveled by train to Chicago for a spring break trip filled with art museums and live theater, including seeing Carol Channing starring in "Hello Dolly." On the second morning, Anita and a friend were in their hotel lobby trying to locate the famous flea market they had heard about. An older male student, familiar with the city, offered to guide them to Clark Street—and shop they did. Loaded down, he offered them a taxi ride back to the hotel. As Anita stepped out of the cab, he asked if she would join him for dinner, and she said yes. That night, they went to the Pump Room at the top of the Palmer House Hotel, where they were staying. Colin and Anita have been together since that day.

It was the sixties, and school became distant. They shared an apartment, and Anita went to work at Maurice’s, a clothing store in downtown Duluth. Colie got a job at the highway department, and on July 14, 1967, they were married. Along came their son, Marc Lloyd Campbell, named after his grandfathers. Marc’s father got a good job in 1970 with the fire department, and Nita continued at Maurice’s until Marc started kindergarten. Then it was time for Anita to return to school, and she graduated with honors with a degree in education and a minor in art in 1977. After several substitute teaching jobs, she was hired at Northwood Children’s Home School, which was part of the Duluth school system. There, she made new friends, taught reading and math, and created an art program. She taught there for 30 years.

Meanwhile, Marc had met the love of his life, Kristi, who was going to school in Duluth at St. Scholastica while Marc finished up at St. Thomas. Several years later Kristin Flaa and Marc Campbell were married on August 6th, 1994.  Their first child, Nicholas was born in 1995 followed by Noah in 1997 and Grace in 2002.  Terrific parents and 3 grandchildren for Anita to smother with love.

Anita had a passion for learning, creating, and exploring personal growth and spirituality. After retirement, she made many new friends at the University for Seniors program at UMD, where she taught Tai Chi twice a week and took classes as often as she could. At the same time, she joined the Unitarian Church of Duluth, where she formed even more friendships. Her colorful presence, complemented by her cheerful spirit, will be greatly missed at church. She was a gifted bead, jewelry, and fabric artist for many years. Six years ago, she was welcomed into the Nice Girls of the North, a group of artisans who hold monthly events to sell their creative works.

Her creativity will be remembered, enjoyed, worn and displayed for years to come.  May your journey of discovery continue. Love you very much, my honey.

The Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, May 1, from 4–7 p.m. at Clyde Iron Event Center in Duluth, with a special remembrance at 5 p.m. Memorials can be made to the University For Seniors at UMD, the Unitarian Church of Duluth or the Duluth Folk School.