Maureen Van Camp

Maureen Gay (Knudsvig) Van Camp left her earthly home on July 13, 2022, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO. Her three bouts with cancer covered almost thirty years, but she met them with grace, strength, courage and humility, plus humor.  She strived to maintain her lifestyle throughout her treatments as well as a positive outlook.

Maureen was born in Killdeer, ND, on January 1, 1945. Her New Year’s birthday was always a cause for celebration! She attended Dunn Center School until her junior year of high school when Killdeer and Dunn Center began merging the two schools. She then graduated from Killdeer High School in 1963.

Maureen graduated from Dickinson State University in ND. Her first teaching/librarian position was on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in Twin Buttes, ND, under President Lyndon Johnson’s Title II program. She had four students and was adopted as a member of the Arikawa Indian tribe.

Her full-time librarian duties commenced in St. John’s, MI, in 1967, in the high school, where she met Eric Van Camp, her future husband. They were married in 1969 in Normanna Lutheran Church, Dunn Center, and moved to Boulder, CO, where he began studying for his master’s degree. She started working as a secretary at the Colorado University Law Library and earned her Master’s, too, while working full-time, eventually establishing a career ladder. Both graduated with their Master’s in Summer, 1973, and were divorced shortly thereafter.

Maureen’s work experience was quite varied. She learned quickly that two jobs would allow her to own a home--her most prized possession. Colorado University was her stable employment for almost 40 years. She also created a business, Tidy Touch, a company that provided house/pet sitting, plus cleaning. Rentals were another source of income, as was selling Mary Kay products, plus a job as “Sample Server” at Costco.

In 1977, she took a dare and went around the world in 99 days on the Semester at Sea program. She was paid to go on the trip as the Head Librarian. It was an awesome experience for her and changed her life.

In 1980, after spending ten years in the CU Law Library, she was promoted to Manager of the Media Library, where she stayed until her retirement in 2007. She was honored as “Employee of the Year in 2006” and received the Marie and Martha Campbell Award for staff excellence in 2006, as well. CU was an important part of her life.

Maureen was constantly working to make people aware of environmental issues and served on local environmental boards. Recycling was her passion, as almost everyone who knew her was aware. She was honored with an individual achievement award from the Campus Earth Summit in 1998 for her commitment to reducing the burden Colorado University places on the local and global environments.

Everyone who knew Maureen enjoyed her sense of humor and purpose. Her compassion and concern for others was noted by friends and family. She loved to host brunches at her home, decorating her home with the current holiday theme, plus wearing holiday attire herself, especially wild socks!

Maureen is survived by her family who loved her and were so very important to her: Sister, Francine Gustafson, (Roger) Chaska, MN; Brother, Neil Knudsvig, Green Valley, AZ; Brother, Loran Knudsvig (Valerie), Audubon, MN; and brother Steve Knudsvig (Kathy), Foresthill, CA. Eight nieces and three nephews were regularly remembered by her with birthday, Christmas and graduation gifts. She was a great-aunt for eleven great-nieces and three great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents—Norman and Alice Knudsvig, ex-husband Eric Van Camp, and a sister-in-law, Jeane Knudsvig.

Maureen desired to have her body donated for medical research and that wish was fulfilled.

A memorial service was held at the Darrell Howe Mortuary in Lafayette, CO, on September 24, 2022.

A graveside service will be held in the Dunn Center Cemetery in North Dakota on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend.