Letha Armstrong

Letha Armstrong of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away at the Heritage House in Atlantic on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at the age of 95. Letha Leota Louise (Walter) Armstrong was born to Ada Odessa Worth and Louis Arthur Walter in Lewis, Iowa on July 28, 1914. Her siblings included, sisters Vivien and Mary and a brother Lee. She grew up in Lewis and attended school there, graduating from Lewis High School in 1932 as class valedictorian. One of Letha's fond memories was of the love that she saw and felt in Lyle's dark brown eyes. This was still true through all the many years they spent together. Recently, the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Letha and Lyle dated and married on February 6, 1934 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Griswold. The two of them farmed and raised a family on the family farm near Lewis. Letha was a homemaker with many interests. She spent time gardening and home-canning and freezing to feed her family. She loved to bake bread and pies. There was always something good to eat. She was an excellent seamstress. Letha made many dresses for special holidays, prom and weddings. She taught many of us how to sew and be creative. She passed this on to others by being a leader in 4-H. She took pride in her rose garden which was located within view of the house for enjoyment. She also enjoyed playing pinochle with friends, raising Pekinese and Yorkshire Terrier puppies and made quilts. She enjoyed ceramics and painting. The family appeared on the "I've Got A Secret" program in 1964, the first time the immediate family had been together since the birth of daughter, Carol. Letha enjoyed her role as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandchildren. Letha was active in her church, Our Lady of Grace, in Griswold and was Altar Society President many times, Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir. She was also active in the S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic where she was Altar Society President and counted collection money. Letha was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women, past Cass County President of Federated Women; past president of the Southwest Iowa National Council of Catholic Women; South Region Youth Chairman, served on the Bishop's Task Force for two years and helped organize Catholic youth of Southwest Iowa. Both were active in the Lewis high school alumni. Her survivors include her children, Lyla Berry of Beaverton, OR, Teresa Emig (Bill) of Flagstaff, AZ, Elaine VanWinkle (Rip) of Omaha, NE, Raymond (Nancy) Armstrong of Atlantic, IA, Linda (LeRoy) Lazure of Omaha, NE, and Carol (Tony) Leighton of Lewis, IA. Grandchildren:Lynn Berry (Jerrid Sedlmeyer) of Vernonia, OR; Bart Berry (Michelle) of Beaverton, OR; Mark (Amy) Stavros of Gulf Breeze, Fl; Michelle (Andrew) Lewis of Scottsdale, AZ; Michael (Janelle) Spoto of Omaha, NE; Anne Marie (Alan) Schoening of Council Bluffs, IA; Lynnette (David) Tuttle of Lexington, KY; Scott (Marcie) Armstrong of Tiffin, IA; Lorraine (Matthew) Rusch of Omaha, NE; Patrick (Kathryn) Lazure of Omaha, NE; Douglas Lazure of Denver, CO; Andrew Leighton of Ames, IA; Matthew (Sandra) Leighton of Griswold, IA; Jennifer Leighton of Lewis, IA; and Stephanie Leighton of Lewis, IA. Great-grandchildren: Patrick and Ryan Berry, Austin, Rebecca, Rachel, Zachary, Mark Joseph, David, Joshua, and Samuel William Lyle Stavros; Chandler, Matthew, and Daniel Lewis; Dana (Terry McDowell), Paul, Nyssa and Sean Spoto; Amanda and Alex Schoening; Eathan and Paige Tuttle; Camden and Cade Armstrong; Thomas and Daniel Rusch; and Lauren Lazure. Great-great grandchild, Jadyn Spoto; a sister-in-law, Glendale Armstrong; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. Letha was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Edward Armstrong; father and mother, Art and Ada (Worth) Walter; sisters, Vivien Wissler and Mary Pont and a brother, Lee Walter.Funeral Information Open visitation for Letha will be held Thursday at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. The family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 9:00 with the rosary and memory sharing from 7:00 until 8:00. Services will be held at the S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic at 10:30 on Friday, August 7, with Father Dan Siepker officiating. The committal will be in the Walnut Catholic Cemetery at 1:30 pm. IN REMEMBRANCE OFLetha Leota Louise (Walter) ArmstrongBorn July 28, 1914Lewis, IowaENTERED INTO RESTAugust 4, 2009At the age of 95 years and 6 daysFUNERAL SERVICE 10:30 A.M. on August 7, 2009 S. S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church ~ Atlantic, IAOFFICIATINGFather Dan Siepker S. S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church ~ Atlantic, IAMUSICAL SELECTIONS"City of God&""In Every Age&""I Have Loved You With An Everlasting Love&""What A Friend We Have In Jesus&""Hail Mary, Gentle Woman&" "Song of Farewell&""Let There Be Peace On Earth&"PIANIST AND SINGER Gene Klosner Cherolyn KlosnerCASKET BEARERSMichael Spoto Mark Stavros Scott Armstrong Patrick Lazure Douglas Lazure Andrew Leighton Bart Berry Matthew LeightonINTERMENT1:30 P.M.Walnut Catholic CemeteryWalnut, IowaThe Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic is caring for the family and the arrangements for Letha. Condolences may be left on the Roland website: www.rolandfuneralservice.com.For area church and cemetery directions, please click here:Church DirectionsCemetery Directions