Pete Campion

Edmund “Pete” Campion, age 69, of Fergus Falls, MN, passed away on January 25, 2026, while residing at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls. Pete was diagnosed with brain cancer in August of 2025 and faced his illness with great strength.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Fr. Shawn Polman will celebrate the Mass, and interment will be at Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Edmund Peter Campion was born on August 15, 1956, in rural Traverse County, MN, to Joseph and Rose Joan (O’Leary) Campion. He grew up on the family farm learning the values of hard work, independence, and self-reliance. The family later moved to Graceville, MN, which remained an important place throughout Pete’s life.

Pete attended school in Wheaton and Graceville, MN. Later, Pete went on to earn a degree in drafting in Staples, MN, laying the foundation for a lifelong career built around mechanical skill, problem-solving, and precision.

Throughout his career, Pete worked as a machinist and engineer, lending his talents to several Minnesota companies. He was also self-employed as a contractor, known for his ability to fix, build, and improve just about anything.

Pete found his greatest enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life. He loved fishing and hunting, whether casting a bobber off the dock at Swan Lake, duck hunting near Graceville, or visiting with friends while fishing on Lake Latoka. He enjoyed meeting friends for breakfast or lunch at the Big Chief or Viking Café, playing Whist or Cribbage, taking road trips, and attending holiday gatherings. Pete valued good conversation, strong friendships, and time spent with people.

Pete was formerly married to Ruth (Zupan) Campion, with whom he shared his sons. Though they later divorced, family remained an important part of Pete’s life.

Surviving Pete are: his sons and their families; his brothers: Patrick (Julie) Campion of Brooten, MN; Barry Campion of Anchorage, AK; and Claude (Mary) Campion of Rice, MN; and his sisters: Claire (Gary) Erickson of Chisago City, MN; Cecilia Cathey of St. Cloud, MN; Catherine (Jim) Riley of Morris, MN; Bernadette Campion of St. Cloud, MN; and Rosemary Sanderson of Fargo, ND; along with many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rose Joan Campion; his brothers: Joseph Jr., John, Thomas, Kieran, and Richard Campion; his sister, Mary Ellen; along with other family members and friends.

The family extends their sincere appreciation to Sanford Health, Lake Region Cancer Center, Vivie Hospice, and the staff at Pioneer Care, all of whom provided compassionate care and kindness to Pete.

Pete will be remembered for his mechanical mind, love of the outdoors, quick humor, and the straightforward way he lived his life.