Calvin Lee Campbell

Sep 16 1924 - Jan 31 2009


Calvin Lee Campbell of Sioux Falls, South Dakota passed away peacefully on Saturday January 31, 2009, at Dougherty Hospice, Sioux Falls, South Dakota surrounded by his loving family. Calvin was born September 16, 1924, in the family farmhouse in Millville, Ohio. He was the sixth child of Lelia and Allen Campbell. Calvin had four sisters, Thelma, Virginia, Mildred and Ruth and two brothers, Lyle and Allen.

Calvin spent his early childhood on farms in Ohio. At the age of nine his family moved to Cloquet, Minnesota where his dad found work in the paper mill. He enjoyed the outdoors in Minnesota, especially fishing near Brainerd with his dad and brothers. His first job was as a paper boy for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Calvin enjoyed running track, football and gymnastics while in high school. In the ninth grade he fell in love with rollerskating.

During high school Calvin joined the Minnesota National Guard. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1943 and was drafted into the Army Air Corps on July 3, 1943. Calvin was trained to work as a radio controller and was sent to the South Pacific, to Finchhaven, New Guinea. There he worked on the crew of 13-25 planes as a radio operator and was often in active battle. He survived two typhoons while serving in New Guinea. At the end of the war he was sent to Japan and served there until he returned to the United States on Christmas Eve 1945. Calvin was very proud of his military service and achieved the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged.

In 1946, while on the way to a neighborhood rollerskating rink in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was drawn into a dance where he met Kathryn Mary Theisen. They were united in marriage on August 18, 1951 in Minneapolis. They had six children, Anne, Kathy, Susan, Judith, Barbara and Steven.

Calvin had a 29-year career in the gas and oil industry. He worked first as a shipping clerk and later in life as a district sales and construction manager for Conoco and Tokheim Oil Corporations.

In 1974 he moved his family from Minneapolis to Sioux Falls where he started Carousel Skate. It was a life-long dream to own his own business and rollerskating was his life-long passion. Calvin's business still thrives today and has become part of every Sioux Falls area child's school year memories. Thousands have enjoyed his vision for family fun. Calvin and Kathryn retired in 1989. His daughter Anne Erickson and granddaughter Kelly Erickson carry on the family business with co-owner Chris Erickson.

Calvin is preceded in death by his wife Kathryn, his parents and siblings. He is survived by his six children Anne Erickson, Sioux Falls; Kathy Campbell, Sioux Falls; Sue Campbell, Minneapolis; Judith Horan and her husband Gale, Harrisburg; Barb Rohlck and her husband Jason, Sioux Falls; and Steven Campbell and his wife Corrine, Red Wing, Minnesota. He is survived by 16 grandchildren, Jason, Kelly, Kristin, Jessie, Nathan, Shannon, Matthew, Joshua, Sarah, Benjamin, Kelsey, Megan, Stevie, Calvin, Kayleen, and Steven, Jr.; and 15 great grandchildren, Melanie, Justin, Brenna, Katie, Logan, Everett, Jonah, Grace, Kendyl, Jason, Alison, Zachary, Connor, Kaylee, and Madilyn; and his close friend Betty Gibson of Sioux Falls.

Calvin will be missed dearly by all those who knew him. He loved cars and dancing. He was always re-inventing things and could fix anything. He had a huge generous heart and enjoyed life. He will be remembered every time the Tennessee Waltz is heard or someone sings "You Are My Sunshine."; a song he loved to play on the mandolin for his children and grandchildren.

Calvin's faith in God was great. He was very proud to be a founding member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux Falls.

Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 Noon Friday at St. Michael Catholic Church. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery.



Miller Funeral Home 507 S. Main Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 605-336-2640
Miller West 6200 W. 41st St. Sioux Falls, SD 57106 605-361-6394