Freeman J. Campbell

Freeman J. Campbell, 91, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball with Pastor Carla Gunn officiating. Burial was held in the Kimball Cemetery following the service. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m. Visit http://www.cantrellfh.com to view Freeman's Tribute Wall and leave condolences for the family. Memorials may be given to the Kimball County Manor. The services for Freeman have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Freeman Joseph Campbell was born on a farm near Wallace, Nebraska on May 3, 1922, the son of Robert and Emily (Freeman) Campbell. Freeman was the great grandson of Daniel Freeman who was the first person to file for a homestead in the United States on January 1, 1863. He attended school in Hays County and graduated from the Hays County High School in 1940. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and majored in geology. While in college he was a member of the marching band. He completed one year of college then temporarily went to work for the Naval Ammunitions Depot at Hastings, Nebraska during WWII. After the war ended he returned to the university. It was at that time he met Frances Barnica, they were married in Ogallala, Nebraska on August 30, 1947. The couple moved to Omaha and lived there for three years where Freeman worked in a men's store as a salesman. In 1950 they moved to Kimball and Freeman helped operate the family farm. He was an excellent carpenter and during the winter months he helped area families with their remodel and new construction project. They moved to the farm in 1968, and lived there until the time of his death. He was active in the local Jaycees, and a member of the Scottsbluff Elk's Lodge # 1367. He served on the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee and the National Association of Farmer Elected Committeemen. Freeman was a dedicated supporter of the Kimball County Manor and served as the board president during his 18 years of service. He continued his service well past his time on the board by visiting many of the residents and offering his help whenever asked.

Survivors include his sister-in-laws Harriett Christensen and Jean Hattermen both of Ogallala, NE; Nephews Doug (Joy) Campbell of Upland, CA., Bruce (Cindy) Campbell of Fall Brook, CA., Rex (Wendy) Christensen of Keystone, NE., and Kennen (Kim) Christensen of North Platte, NE; nieces Terry Barnica and Gail (Neil) Fischer both of Denver, CO., and Valerie Barnica of Montrose, CO; numerous great nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and one brother Robert.