Claudia Cameron

Claudia J. Cameron, age 81, of Wilmot, SD, died on November 3, 2018, at Milbank Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Claudia Cameron are scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Parkview Methodist Church in Milbank, with Rev. Melanie Reiners officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Wilmot City Cemetery.

Claudia was born on March 27, 1937, to Louise and Wesley Gowin. She was the youngest of five children. She spent her childhood on their farm near Sisseton, South Dakota. She graduated from Wheaton High School in May of 1955. Later that year, Claudia married Pete Schmidt, and together they had three daughters: Becky, Kim, and Jodi. They spent the majority of their married life in Silver Bay, Minnesota, until the marriage ended, and Claudia moved with her girls to Browns Valley, Minnesota.

On November 2, 1966, Claudia married Douglas “Doc” Cameron and moved to a farm outside of Wilmot, South Dakota. Together, Doc and Claudia had one child who passed away at birth.

Claudia worked hard at every job she held throughout her life: from waitressing in Browns Valley, bookkeeping at the Sisseton Farm Supply, managing Liebe Drug in Wilmot, to bookkeeping at Cenex in Wilmot, she worked tirelessly to provide for her girls.

Claudia loved gardening and maintained a large garden so that she could share her bounty with friends and family. She enjoyed gifting her handmade counted cross stitch pictures. She loved to read and often had a new book in her hands, taking in another story or adventure. She was a true Vikings fan and never missed watching a game. She had a tender heart for animals that needed a home and for people who were down on their luck or were suffering.

Claudia loved deeply. She was a good mom and grandma, a good sister and daughter, a good friend, and a devoted wife.

Claudia’s laughter and joyful spirit will be missed by all of those who love her so dearly…until that day we meet again.

Claudia is survived by her husband, Douglas “Doc” Cameron of Wilmot, SD; daughters: Becky (David) Hansen of Wilmot, SD; Kim (Mark Blatnik) Whelan of Duluth, MN; and Jodi (Jim) Patnoe of Chicago, IL; sister, Merle Arbach of Browns Valley, MN; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren and one more on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her infant son.