Gary J Campbell of Lake Norden, SD, formerly Frankfort, SD passed away on May 21, 2026 peacefully in the comfort of his home. Gary Joseph Campbell was born on September 14,1944, in Clark, SD to Virgil and Joan (Sheldon) Campbell.

He grew up in the Doland Area with his parents on a farm and attended a country school north of Doland. He attended Doland High School for 2 years.

He enlisted into the Army in 1965 during the Vietnam War. In 1967 he was honorably discharged and returned to Redfield, having various jobs in Redfield, Racine, IL, and Huron. He worked on grain elevators, construction projects in Redfield and Huron and moved furniture for Allied VanLines. While living in Racine he worked at a radiator manufacturing company. His dedication was working on the Chicago Northwestern Railroad from 1976-1987 and DM&E Railroad from 1987-2004.

He married Betty Dye in 1970; with this union he had 2 children, Amy and Wade. In 1980, he married Marilyn Beidler in Redfield and had 2 children, Tony and Jessica. They lived in the Redfield area until they moved to Frankfort, SD in 1986 to be close to his parents. During his 30+ years in Frankfort friends and family often gathered to shoot the breeze. Being part of the Frankfort Community and playing slowpitch softball was a joy and privilege for him to be part of. After retiring from the railroad he found enjoyment in gardening, tinkering in his barn, fishing, camping and hunting. Sometimes he would go fishing out to the Big Mo or Big Stone and sleep under the stars. He had a passion for playing softball for the Rockham team, Ken’s Super Valu and Frankfort Blues.

In 1998 Gary bought a Harley- Davidson and started annual trips to Sturgis with his kids.

As the kids grew up and had families of their own, the Frankfort home was getting too much for Gary to take care of. In 2017, Gary and Marilyn decided to go to Lake Norden to be closer to the boys and grandchildren. He enjoyed the activities the kids and grandchildren were involved in. He was a proud father of his children’s achievements.

Gary is survived by his wife, Marilyn (46yrs), children; Amy Tripp (Jeff) of Cutler, IL, Wade (Denyce) of Arlington,SD, Tony (Stacy) of Lake Norden, SD and Jessica Hoeksema (Andrew) of Platte, SD. His siblings, Jim, Cathi Jessen, Rose Levtzow (Merlyn), Darlene Rohlfs (Darrel) and Tom (Jean). 14 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews.

Family preceding him in death includes his parents Virgil(1987) and Joan(2023), parents-in-laws Elwood and Mary Ann Beidler, 1 grandchild Alexa Campbell(2011) and brother-in-laws Richard Jessen(2025) and James Beidler(2022).

Graveside services with military honors will be held at St Ann’s Cemetery, Frankfort, SD on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. Following services, a reception for friends and family will be held at the Frankfort Community Center, Frankfort, SD

Condolences may be sent to Marilyn Campbell, PO Box 141, Lake Norden, SD, 57248