Ann Campbell

Ann Campbell died in Topeka, Kansas on May 29, 2026 with her daughters by her side. Ann was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend. Ann’s life was one of connection and community full of friendship and kinship. 

Ann was born to Albert I. and Ardelle Lundeen Friesen in February 1942 in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska. She spent her childhood in Nebraska, living in Cedar Rapids, Henderson, McCook, and Hastings, where she graduated from high school. 

Ann went to college her freshman year at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and then transferred to Iowa State University where she graduated with a Textiles and Clothing Merchandising degree. Ann’s mother, Ardelle, along with Ann, her daughter Tracy, and her granddaughter Whitney, represent four generations of women in the family who have earned college degrees. At Iowa State, Ann met J. R., her husband of 61 years. Ann and J. R. wed on August 29, 1964. After graduating college, Ann and J. R. moved to Topeka, Kansas. When her children were young, Ann ran a home daycare. After that, she worked at Sears Credit Department and spent the next 30 years of her career with the State of Kansas at the Department of Administration, Department of Transportation, and Department on Aging, from which she retired. 

Ann participated with friends in many group activities. At Countryside United Methodist Church she was involved in Sunday School, circle, chancel choir, dinner for 8, movie groups, and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). She traveled to weekend scrapbooking events, played in several bridge groups, and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Gavel Club, and P.E.O. holding many offices in various organizations. Ann was a member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and participated in gourmet group, investment group, and many others. With the Shawnee Chorale Society, Ann sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 

Ann also loved stories. She was a member of book club and regularly attended bible study. She also enjoyed concerts, plays, and musicals, being a season ticket holder of Topeka Civic Theater, Broadway Across America, and the New Dinner Theater. As a cherished keepsake, she bought a coffee mug for each musical she attended. 

Together, Ann and J. R. loved to travel, going to Campbell Family Reunions, on bus tours around the United States and Canada, exploring European countries, and several cruises including the Panama Canal, Alaska, and the Rhine, Main, and Danube Rivers. Ann visited the Holy Land and saw the passion play in Germany with her church, explored Cuba with the Iowa State Alumni, and spent many long weekends on girls trips. Ann and J. R. enjoyed many activities and trips with the Shepherd’s Center of Topeka. With her daughter Jody, Ann attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade and enjoyed watching both parades each year on TV. Ann also took her grandchildren on high school graduation trips; with her granddaughter, she toured Italy and with her grandson, she toured Germany. Ann took pictures everywhere she went, documenting the food, signage, architecture, and nature she saw to be used in her scrapbooking.

Ann loved Christmas, having multiple Christmas trees in her home and boxes and boxes of ornaments, some handmade, some store-bought, and some from her trips. She also loved to decorate and host family gatherings often serving chili and soup on Christmas Eve. This love of Christmas translated into a love of Hallmark movies, Christmas or otherwise.

In 2021, Ann and J. R. moved to a retirement community, Brewster Place, where several lifelong friends resided and also made many new, cherished friends.

Ann is survived by her daughters Tracy (Kyle) Horn of Lenexa, Kansas and Jody Campbell of Streamwood, Illinois; grandchildren, Whitney (Emily) Horn of Overland Park, Kansas and Ryan Horn of Lenexa, Kansas; brother, Lowell (Peggy) Friesen of Parker, Colorado; along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews from coast to coast.

Ann’s passing came just 44 days after that of her husband, J. R. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Ardelle Friesen.

A joint celebration of life service for Ann and J. R. is planned for June 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka, Kansas. Memorial donations can be made to Countryside United Methodist Church.

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