Ellen Louise Campbell Schallenberger passed away on May 24, 2018 after living a full and beautiful life. Louise had the blessing of dying comfortably in the home of her son, Ed and Gina Schallenberger, where they cared for her following the death of her husband in November 2016. Her family has no doubt that she looked forward to reuniting with her husband, sisters, and other family members who have gone before her.
Referred to throughout her life as Louise, she was born in Townsend on September 15, 1931 to Roy Milton Campbell and Agnes Ellen Bardwell Campbell. She was the youngest of three girls. Her sisters, Jennie Lindquist and Betty Schmitt Denzin, were a highlight of her life.
They were a strength to one another throughout childhood and remained quite close through their adult years. As a young girl her family moved to Charlos Heights where she had the blessing of living near her Gramie. Many of her favorite childhood memories included Gramie.
She attended school in Darby, where she met the love of her life, Donald Floyd Schallenberger. Both graduated from Darby High School. Don and Louise married on December 26, 1949 while Don was home on military leave from the Navy.
This young love had a bond that could not be broken and the couple had a beautiful marriage for sixty-seven years. As a young bride she proved herself to be a hard-working and dedicated homemaker who was always up for adventure. She was fun, witty and known to be the life of the party.
Following Don’s military service, they moved to Charlos Heights where they started their family. They had three sons; Doug of Hamilton, Terry of Kennewick, Washington, and Ed of Darby. Louise found her role as a mother to be fulfilling and was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt and housekeeper.
She always provided meals on time for Don and the boys. She was very active in the boys’ activities; helping at school and supporting their athletic endeavors. Many of her sons’ favorite memories were at Lake Como where they would water ski.
She was a talented skier and loved being in the water. In true Schallenberger fashion, she was known to prepare all the meals, clothing, and towels for all their lake escapades. Louise found great joy through music and was a gifted piano player.
She loved to sing and yodel. One of the highlights of her grandchildren was when she would play the accordion. She was known to play the piano for dances at the Charlos Heights clubhouse with Russ Porter.
Louise was thoughtful, kind, and generous with her time. She loved sewing, gardening, and dancing. She helped provide for her family by working at the mine, People’s Market, and Kmart.
She volunteered on the Ambulance crew where she enjoyed working with her son Terry. Louise was the grandmother every grandchild dreams of having. She had little interest in the things of the world, but always knew where her grandkids were in the world.
As they spread out for college, military service, and other endeavors, she would often call and send handwritten letters. She often had them over and loved to snap pictures of them, even if they would tease her about leaving the lens cap on! She could often be found in the crowd cheering on her grandchildren.
She would play games with them and would read to them before bed. They spent many hours on walks and talking on the porch swing. She loved taking her kids and grandkids camping.
In her later years one of her favorite things was holding her great-grandchildren. She would often mention enjoying visits from family and friends, especially her nieces, Carolyn Quaintance and Jayne Ferris, who lived nearby. Louise is survived in life by Doug and Lori (Dwain, Shonda, Lindsey Jason), Terry and Nora (Mandy, Brandon, Tracy), Ed and Gina (Blade, Ryal, Mark, Travis, Kayla); her 22 great-grandchildren and her half brothers Jim Campbell and Tom Campbell.
Louise was preceded in death by her husband Don, Father Roy, Mother Ellen, stepfather Ray Kelly, stepfather Al Eggars, and sisters Jennie and Betty. Visitation will be held Monday, May 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 29 at 2 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane, Hamilton with Pastor Vern Sandersfeld officiating.
Immediately following, internment will take place in Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby. A luncheon reception will follow at Grace Lutheran Church in Hamilton. The family sends their dearest thanks to family, neighbors and caretakers who cared for her in her later years of life.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church.
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