Jeanette Arelene Camp , 96, of Burlington, died Saturday, November 15, 2025, at her home in Burlington.
Born May 16, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, IA, she was the daughter of Charles L and Anna E. Haberle Pitzer. At the age of 7, she moved to Burlington with her family. She attended school here and graduated from Burlington High School in 1947.
She started working for McKesson-Robbinson Pharmaceutical Company as a file clerk and worked her way up to being the secretary for the manager. After several years with the company, she was looking for a change and decided to move to Chicago, IL. Jeanette was able to start a wonderful job at Scott, Foresman Publishing Company and worked for them for 12 years.
Jeanettte was living in the downtown area of Chicago, Diversity Ave area, and Scott, Foresman and Company was located nearby on Lake Shore Drive. She remembered all of the fun and excitement with her job, especially after Scott, Foresman and Company had constructed a new, modern building and then moved the entire publishing company operation to the Chicago Suburb of Glenview. Due to the company's move, she moved to a new apartment on North Sheridan Road.
One of Jeanette's prized possessions is a scrap book she received from her fellow workers at Scott, Foresman and Company in Chicago. She was honored to receive a special personalized scrap book even though she had only worked with them for 12 years. Usually this was done for persons who retired after decades of work. She fondly remembered her fellow workers and the fun time she had while working there. She received well wishes from more than 80 people she had supervised over the years.
In 1973, Jeanette decided to move back to Burlington to care for her father during his illness. She started working for Schramm's Department Store in the alterations department and following an accident, which resulted in an injury to her hand and partial loss of two fingers, she was transferred to work on the 3rd floor in the office of the Ready To Wear Department. Eventually, she was transferred to the 4th floor for the Fine Dishware Department.
On October 24, 1981, she married Walter D. Camp in Burlington. They had met at a singles group at St. Lukes United Church of Christ. Walter's first wife Jean had passed away several years earlier from cancer.
Together, Walter and Jeanette traveled in their Airstream Trailer all over the United States and their travels frequently included meeting up with the Airstream Trailer Club, The Wally Byrum Caravan. On occasion, they were on the road traveling for six weeks or more at a time, all the while having fun exploring large areas of the United States and Canada. For many years, Jeanette and Walter enjoyed spending their winters in Mission, TX and living in their Airsteam Trailer. On October 20, 2004, Jeanette lost the love of her life when Walter passed away from a stroke following surgery for a pacemaker.
For many years, Jeanette enjoyed playing the piano, sewing and reading. Her other hobbies were making craft projects, such as table decorations, Christmas ornaments and decorative baskets. Additional pastimes she enjoyed were embroidery work on tablecloths and pillow cases and she especially enjoyed crocheting decorations on kitchen towels and afghans.
Survivors include her step-children, David C. (Amy) Camp of Burlington, and Debbie (Keith) Sommer of Mackinaw, IL; two nieces, Gretchen (Owen) Davis of Manassas Park, VA, and Margo (Jonathan) Woods of Wilmington, NC; four grandchildren, Sarah (Chip) Overton, Mike Camp, Kristen Sommers, and Megan Sommers; three great-grandchildren, Charlie (Avery) Overton, Sammy Overton and Mandy Overton; and one great great-grandson, Brooks Overton.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Charles L. Pitzer and one grandson, Charlie Camp.
The funeral service for Mrs. Camp will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 22, 2025, at St Lukes United Church of Christ with Reverend Peggy Stott officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the St Lukes fellowship hall following the burial.
A memorial has been established for Iowa Public Television.