JoAnn Campbell
May 28, 1939 – January 13, 2018
It is with great love and sorrow that we say farewell to
JoAnn Campbell, who left us for a better place on Saturday, January 13 after a
prolonged illness. The fourth of five children, she was born in Bottineau,
North Dakota in 1939 to Hans and Mabel Brandjord. A popular and successful
young woman, JoAnn was Senior Class Treasurer, Assistant Editor of the school
paper, and Homecoming Queen.
After high school, JoAnn attended the University of
Minnesota School of Nursing where she earned a bachelors degree in 1962. Her
career led her to a nursing position at the VA hospital in Long Beach, which
brought her to California. It was there that she met and married Norm Petersen,
the father of her three children. Later in her career, she returned to school
to earn a Masters in Public Health Education from Loma Linda University.
She had a 28-year-long career in Alvord School District as a
school nurse. She was invariably respected by teachers, parents, students, and
other nurses for her propensity for always going above and beyond her
fundamental responsibilities. Known for her calm, kind, and consistent manner,
she would not hesitate to visit the most at-risk neighborhoods if there was
ever a need. Her nurturing manner was reflected in her commitment to her
patients.
JoAnn was passionate about the betterment of her community.
A fierce advocate of women’s rights and a staunch opponent of war and hatred,
she regularly stood up for her beliefs through protests and public gatherings.
She was a committed volunteer at the Central City Lutheran Mission in San
Bernardino, and also served on the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Society.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her eldest son David
Petersen, who passed away in 1991, and her brother Irwin Brandjord, who passed
away in 2016. The family is comforted in the hope that they are once again
together. She is survived by her daughter Laura Folsom of Riverside; her son
Hans Petersen of Maui, HI; her brother Glenn Brandjord of Bottineau, ND; her
sister Helen Stephens of Wilmette IL; her sister Janice Nelson of Tuscon, AZ;
three grandsons - Thomas Folsom, Christopher Folsom, and Zackary Folsom, all of
Riverside; and her loving partner Carl “Bud” Scanland.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January
20th at 3:00 pm. Friends may contact Laura Folsom at (951) 532-0091 or Hans
Petersen at (310) 962-4685 for
details.
