Lola Mae VanCampen

January 7, 1917 - September 18, 2026

Lola Mae VanCampen, age 109, passed away peacefully at Saint John's Nursing Home in Billings, Montana surrounded by a loving family and caring staff on September 18th, 2026. She wanted everyone to know what great care she received at this facility. She was dearly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Lola M. Dickinson was born in Rockland, Idaho on January 7, 1917 to Pearl Sylvester Dickinson and Lillian Lolo Dickinson. She was the oldest daughter of five children. She was named for the “Lolo” mountain pass in Idaho (also her mother’s middle name) but over the years became fondly known as Lola.

She grew up on the Camas Prairie in Melrose, Idaho and would tell stories of riding a horse to school with her sisters and brother, while one time getting bucked off. She graduated from Ruebens High School in 1934 where she played basketball and then went to the University of Idaho where she also played basketball for the Vandals while getting a degree in Education.

On December 28, 1937 she married Edmond (Ned) Vern VanCampen in Plains, Montana. They had 3 children before moving to Kennewick, Washington, and they were married for 63 years. Lola became an elementary school teacher in 1949 and taught 4th/5th grade for 30 years in the Kennewick School District retiring in 1979.

Lola was known as a woman of Faith. She asked Jesus into her heart after college and she would explain that this decision completely changed her life. She loved her Savior and dedicated her time and energy to serving the Lord and those around her. She was instrumental in the groundbreaking of Columbia Community Church (C3) in Richland, Washington where she taught Sunday school, worked in Ladies’ Ministries, and served on the church board for many years. She attended C3 until moving to live with her daughter in Billings, Montana in 2012. Throughout her life, she was a fervent prayer warrior praying for all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Lola was also known for her hospitality. She loved fixing elaborate dinners and inviting folks over as well as spoiling her family weekly with Sunday dinners. Anyone who accepted the invitation was served her famous potato rolls and homemade raspberry jam.

Lola embraced each decade with grace for over a century and inspired us all. She is survived by her two daughters, LoRae Putnam and Carol Lea Collopy, 12 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ned VanCampen, her son, Gordon VanCampen, and her great granddaughter, Ellaina Henckel.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at C3 in Richland, Washington on Saturday, May 1, 2027 at 1pm.