Obituary of Vern Melvin Campbell
Campbell – Vern
Vern Melvin Campbell was born May 27, 1950, in Prince Albert, Sask., the first child of George & Stella Campbell. His first years of life the family lived in the Sutherland area of Saskatoon. In 1960 the family moved back to the family farm in the Stump Lake area. Stump Lake was home for him for over 54 years. For the last 7 years of Vern’s life, he called Big River Health Centre Long Term Care his home.
Vern’s first years of education started in Saskatoon. Back on the farm, he continued his education at Rabbit Bluff Country School until grade 8. In 1966 Vern started his grade 9 at Debden School but soon dropped out to help on the farm.
Vern worked various jobs over the years. He owned and operated school buses with routes to Debden from the Rabbit Bluff & Park Valley districts. He was a farmer and loved working with the cattle. In the spring he would often drive Anhydrous trucks for different fertilizer suppliers. His final days of work were with the RM’s of Shellbrook & Canwood.
Vern fell in love and married Ada Rusk in 1988. He then had an instant family, complete with grandchildren. Vern loved children. As their house became an empty nest, they became foster parents, having several children stay with them over the years.
Vern was very competitive, and he liked to win. He played Old Time Hockey for many years, Vern enjoyed fishing and hunting. He liked competitive activities in Long Term Care, such as curling, shuffleboard, horse racing, bingo and cribbage were some of his favorites. A challenge to arm wrestling was always fun for him.
Vern and Ada loved to go to coffee row at Frodo’s. Vern received a scooter from Telemiracle in 2014, that gave him some freedom to travel around Big River! One of Vern’s weaknesses was ICE CREAM, no baby cone for him either, make it the biggest you have!
Vern will be deeply missed by all those who shared in his life’s journey.
Vern will be remembered by, his mother, Stella Campbell; his stepson, Shawn Rusk, and granddaughters, Jordan & Morgan; his step-daughters, Norine (Howard) Fonos, and Judy (Ross) Willington; his siblings, Bert (Donna) Campbell, Darlene (Garry) Newton, Marlene Bickert, Joan (Tony) Lukan; his sibling-in-law, Lloyd Bather; as well as his aunt & uncle, numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Vern was predeceased by his wife, Ada Campbell in 2013; his father George Campbell in 1996; his sister Shirley Bather in 2006; his brother-in-law Ed Bickert in 2017; his stepchildren Bonita Cook in 1995 and Everett Rusk in 2021.
Vern’s final resting place will be at the Stump Lake Hillside Cemetery on May 27, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in a Graveside Ceremony. Fellowship with family to follow. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Vern to either the Big River Health Centre LTC– Activities Dept. (Box 100 Big River, SK S0J 0E0), or to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
Family and friends are welcome to share messages of condolence to www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Big River, SK. Tammy Smart, Funeral Director, 306-469-2277.
