Armstrong, Mary Jane

Mary Jane Armstrong, daughter of John William and Marie Evelyn (Kinnan) Frederick, was born Nov. 13, 1933, in Cedar Bluff, Iowa. Janie graduated from Tipton High School in 1950 while still 16 years old. Janie fell in love with Grant H. Armstrong and while Grant was stationed in Boston, Mass., she traveled to him and they were united in marriage on Aug. 16, 1952. Following Grant's discharge, they made their home in Mechanicsville, where they raised their five children.

Janie was more than a stay-at-home mom. She was the business manager of Grant's trucking operation and her life revolved around raising her children and maintaining the household. She had to be many things to her children and she put her heart into all she did. She was a wonderful cook and she had the ability to make a “gourmet” meal out of the simplest ingredients. Saturday snacks of cheese and crackers and Sunday pot roast were her specialties. Janie provided for her family in the form of crocheted Afghans. Her children and grandchildren have keepsake blankets made with love. She always had a big garden and canned in the summer to feed the kids throughout the winter.

In the later years of Grant's trucking career, Janie enjoyed trucking with him and stopping along the way to enjoy life. She was lucky with a lottery ticket and read newspapers from front to back. She was devoted to her Frederick heritage and cared for the “boys.” Janie was involved with the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher and was a Camp Fire leader. Janie was devoted to the American Legion Auxiliary Busch-Dennis Unit 309 and she made sure that each of her granddaughters were paid-up life time members of the Auxiliary.

On Oct. 28, 2013, at 2:26 p.m., Janie passed away suddenly at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, with her daughters by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Grant on May 7, 1984; her brothers, Melvin, Lyle and Rhea Alan Frederick; and in-laws, Glen and Rose Bailey, Teddy Albaugh and Larry Albaugh.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Grant H. (Jinks) Armstrong Jr and wife Cindy of Danbury, Iowa, Mike Armstrong and wife Diane of Oveido, Fla., Judy Strickler and husband Tom of Mechanicsville, Bill Armstrong and wife Sandy of Mount Ayr, Sally Worby and husband Garry of Solon and special son, Larry Platner and wife Cynthia of Lisbon; 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; her sister, Jo Ann Dietz and husband Ed of Tipton; in-laws, Ernie Albaugh and wife Nancy, Jo DeForest and husband Jim and Mary Albaugh; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.: Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the church. Officiating will be the Rev. Barbara Kroeger and music will be provided by John Krob. Casket bearers are Calvin Armstrong, Rob Armstrong, Wesley Strickler, Jared Armstrong, Josh Armstrong, Paige Worby and Andy Platner. Burial is in Rose Hill Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established to the American Legion Auxiliary Busch-Dennis Unit 309.

Online memorials may be made at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Published Oct. 31, 2013 in The Gazette