Funeral Mass for Theresa Diane Campbell, 74, of Chariton, will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Chariton with a luncheon for visiting and fellowship to follow.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton.
Diane passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. She was born February 20, 1952, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Michael John and Myrtle Marie (Blackwood) Kurimski. The third of four children, Diane, spent her early years growing up on the family farm. Her family later moved to Lovilia, and Diane attended Albia High School, graduating in 1970.
It was during her freshman year of high school that Diane met a junior named Bill Campbell and thus began a relationship that would span more than 60 years. They were married July 25, 1970, in Lovilia. They created a steady, loving home centered around family with a marriage built around partnership and devotion.
Diane worked for Hy-Vee in Chariton for 33 years, but the role that mattered most to Diane was the one she had at home. While working full-time, she managed to keep the house just right, the chores done, and yard beautifully cared for. That was simply Diane, she wasn’t one to overlook the details. She took pride in whatever she did, and if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well.
As a mother and grandmother, she was placed on a bit of a pedestal—and for good reason. Whatever Mom or Grandma made seemed to be the best anyone had ever tasted. She baked cakes, made wonderful desserts and fudge, sewed blankets, and found countless other ways to make the people she loved feel cared for. Even when her grandchildren were away at school or training, Diane found ways to send a little bit of home along with them. She was generous with her love and especially generous with her hugs. Her family always knew how much they mattered to her.
Diane loved cheering on the Hawkeyes and recently the Indiana Fever. She was social, outgoing, and always active. Sitting on the sidelines wasn’t really her style. Whether it was softball, bowling, golf, board or card games or another competition, Diane wasn’t there simply to participate—she liked to win. She particularly loved the game of golf and won several women’s club championships.
Diane and Bill also loved spending Winters in Arizona, something they had done since 2014. It suited Diane well—time with Bill, friendships, golf, activities, and plenty of opportunities to be around people.
Perhaps nothing revealed Diane’s character more clearly than the challenges she faced later in life. Through major surgeries and treatments, she remained remarkably determined to defeat her illness. She never gave up even through some of life’s hardest days. And beside her through all those days was Bill. His care for Diane during her illness became one more expression of the love and devotion that had defined their marriage from the beginning.
Diane will be greatly missed by her husband and soulmate, William “Bill” Campbell; her children, Cindy Chavez and JD (Sara) Campbell; grandchildren, Marisa Chavez, Noah (Amanda Wolter) Chavez, Sam (Brooke) Campbell, Olivia (Kellen) Schmidt, and Maleah Campbell; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Mya, Hudson, and Cohen; siblings, Mick (Sharon) Kurimski, Linda (Joe Harrison) Franzen, and Pam (Robert) Hoffman; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Tom (Jan) Campbell and Linda (Bob) Teno; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Diane was preceded in death by her parents: Mike & Myrtle Kurimski; father and mother in-law Tom and Theresa Campbell; sister-in-law, Connie Campbell; and brother-in-law, Denny Franzen.
And for the family who thought she was the best at just about everything, there will never be another quite like Diane.
Memorials in Diane’s honor may be made to her family, in care of Bill Campbell, and will be designated toward some of the many things Diane loved and was passionate about.
