Bruce Joseph Campbell, 82, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 2, 2021, surrounded by his devoted wife of 61 years and his four beloved children. He was born May 16, 1939, to Elsie (Pinchard) and Cy Campbell. As a child, he and his family enjoyed their cottage in Dykesville and watersports on the Bay. He was an avid golfer from an early age and achieved his first hole-in-one at 16.
Bruce met Agnes Oudenhoven when he was 17 and she 15. It was love at first sight. The two married August 27, 1960, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The blessing of four children followed, and like baby ducks, 13 grandchildren added to the joy of Bruce’s union with Aggie. Camp Campbell was the highlight of the year, with “Captain Jack” holding court. He was also known for his Halloween sleepovers with the grandchildren and Christmas shenanigans with the entire crew. Bruce and Aggie enjoyed being Packer season ticket holders, tailgating with Jim and Rita, and proudly attending any event of his grandchildren.
After graduating from West High School with the Class of 1957, Bruce enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for 6 years, 2 of them active duty. He began his career with Red Owl in 1960, rising in the ranks very quickly, managing several stores before eventually purchasing Campbell’s Red Owl in De Pere which he owned from 1975-1987. He answered a call from Leo Frigo, and was instrumental in setting up and managing the St. Vincent DePaul Retail Store until his true retirement in 2005.
Bruce was active in the community and his faith life. He was member a of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in De Pere since 1975, serving as a Eucharist Minister and a member of the adult and funeral choirs. Bruce was a former Boy Scout Leader. He was also a past Co-President of the Adoptive Parents’ Association, a former member of the Optimist Club of De Pere, a member of the Red Owl Golf League from 1971 to 2011, and a volunteer for St. Vincent DePaul in many capacities.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Aggie; four children and their spouses, John Campbell and his special friend, Shannon Haggerty, Jim and Julie Campbell, Jean and Greg Healy, Jennifer and Mark Rentmeester; his grandchildren, Jessica and Hannah Campbell; Eliza, Olivia, Grace and Owen Campbell; Kari, Max and Alex Healy; Michael, Julia, Cy and Megan Rentmeester; sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Gloria Oudenhoven, Darlene Oudenhoven, Arlene Zimmerman, Jim and Rita Oudenhoven; Bruce’s dear friend, Terry Murphy; family friend, Dianne Campbell; many nieces and nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kristen Healy; his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Delia Oudenhoven; his siblings, Bob (Alberta) Campbell, Janet (Marvin) Jerry, Doris (Bob) LaVaque, Arletta (Vernon) Fontaine, Jackie (Francis) Pocquette; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ted and Elaine Oudenhoven, Norb Oudenhoven, Anna Marie (Ezra) Lasecki, Clarence Oudenhoven and Tom Zimmerman; and dear friend, Jean Murphy.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St. The visitation will close with a parish wake service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 220 S. Michigan Ave., De Pere from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. on Tuesday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church with Rev. Matthew Faucett officiating. Military Honors will conclude the services. Entombment will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. To send online condolences visit www.prokowall.com.
Bruce made his home at Wyndemere during the final years of his earthly journey. Thank you to his very special caregivers and his fellow residents and their families for providing us dignity and care.