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Armstrong, Lenard J.
UPDATED ONLINE ONLY
Lenard J. Armstrong, 82, died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. To honor Lenard's wishes a brief memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins, with the Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating. Interment will be held at St. Stephen's Cemetery near Atkins, with graveside military rites conducted by Adolph H. Schueler American Legion Post 217 and Iowa Military Funeral Honors. Lenard's family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church in Atkins. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.
Lenard was born July 30, 1928, in Cedar Rapids, to Elton and Mildred (Yilek) Armstrong. He served his nation in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of Adolph H. Schueler American Legion Post 217 of Atkins. On My 7, 1955, he was united in marriage to Alice DeKlotz at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Atkins. She preceded him in death on April 27, 1997. Lenard and Dorothy Gillis Rathje were married Jan. 9, 1999, at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Atkins.
Lenard farmed in the Atkins area and served as a bus driver in Atkins for the Benton Community School District for 41 years before his retirement in 1992. He was an active member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, where he served his congregation as a trustee and as a member of the finance committee. Lenard was also an active member of the Atkins community.
Lenard is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Atkins; his daughters, Kris Armstrong of Atkins, Kim (Gary) Spiess of Lisbon and Kay (Ed) Bartholomew of Montrose; grandchildren, Jenny (Tony) Frey, Nicole and Allison Spiess, Megan and Bryce Bartholomew; three great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Marvin (Sandy) Rathje of Anamosa, Melvin (Elaine) Rathje of Macon, Ga., Jeff (Tammy) Rathje of Watkins and Jolene Rathje of North Liberty; stepgrandchildren, Melissa (Jeff) Smith, Marsha (David) Wimer, Amanda Rathje, Matt (Johnna) Rathje, Josh (Camilla) Rathje and Adam and Robert Rathje; three step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and his first wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Rudin.
A memorial fund has been established.
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