Leona Grace Armstrong
Leona Grace Armstrong, 87, of Billings, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, January 2, 2009, at Highgate Senior Living Assisted Living Center in Billings.
Leona was the daughter of Clarence and Edwina Grace (Marshall) Terlson. She was born in Forsyth, MT, December 29th, 1921 and spent her childhood and school years in Forsyth. Leona married Leonard Frank Armstrong in Forsyth on September 1, 1939 and moved to Billings, MT shortly thereafter. Leona and Leonard had three children.
Leona worked diligently as a mother and wife to care for her children and to support her husband's continuous business activities. Leona enjoyed her wildflower gardening as well as her vegetable gardening of tomatoes and cucumbers which she grew even when she downsized into a Bozeman condo. In her younger years, Leona enjoyed camping outside of Red Lodge, MT in her travel trailer and attending the Red Lodge Festival of Nations programs. Together with her husband they remodeled numerous houses in Billings, moving and upgrading along the way. Although family locations put Leona traveling on occasion, she was most comfortable in Billings where she lived for most of her life. Leona was never one to complain about life's ailments or life's difficulties but rather had a very positive attitude which kept her healthy for numerous years. Leona was a very loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and was very generous to her family. She will be greatly missed.
Leona was fortunate to have just celebrated her 87th birthday and was still sharp and able to get around with only the use of a walker for an occasional trip to her favorite Outback Steakhouse. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Gilbert Terlson of Mesa, Arizona and her husband of nearly 59 years.
Survivors include her children in order of age: her daughter, Jo Ann of Billings, MT; her son, Keith and his wife, Marilyn of Columbia Falls, MT; her son Allen and his wife Mary of Bozeman, MT. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren in order of age: Karla Smerker and her husband Greg of East Helena, MT; Wendy Cook and her husband Kevin of East Helena, MT; Kevin Armstrong of Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, NE; Paul Armstrong of Bozeman, MT; Max Armstrong of Bozeman, MT; and Jurnee Armstrong of Bozeman, MT. Five great-grandchildren include Sydney, Hayden, and Joshua Smerker, and Evan and Abby Cook.
Arrangements are in the care of Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary for a private burial per Leona's wishes. Private family memorials will take place at a later date.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I met Leona and Leonard when they were hired as custodians at American Lutheran Church. Later I was privileged to serve as the income tax preparer/advisor. I have many special memories of my visits with them.
My prayers and condolences are with all of you, especially Allen and Mary.
John Ferro
Allen and Family,
So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I always enjoyed seeing she and Leonard at the Briggs Christmas parties over the years. They were both a lot of fun, and I miss both of them as I think back to days past. I have very pleasant memories of them both.
John Decker