Mabel C. (Foss) Armstrong

Mabel C. (Foss) Armstrong, 93 of Rugby formerly of Rolette, ND passed away on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, 2016 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby. Funeral Services for Mabel will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Valle Lutheran Church, Rolette, ND with Reverend John Hessford officiating. Visitation and time of remembrance and sharing will be held on Friday, May 13th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. also at Valle Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Rolette Cemetery, rural Rolette, ND. Mabel Christine, daughter of Christian and Guri O. (Haugen) Foss was born on March 12, 1923 at rural Rolette, ND. She was reared and educated in Kohlmeier Township, attending Cleveland School, rural Overly, ND and graduating from Overly High School as the Salutatorian of the class of 1939. Mabel was baptized on April 29, 1923 and confirmed on September 19, 1937 at the Willow Creek Lutheran Church at Overly. She began working at Rolette General Store and a certain young man kept coming into the store to buy cereal bowls, one at a time. Eventually that certain young man, Howard F. Armstrong would ask Mabel for a date and love soon followed and they were united in marriage on June 24, 1945 at the Rolla Presbyterian Church. They established their home on the farm east of Rolette, ND living there, farming and ranching side by side and raising their children through the years. Mabel also worked as a CNA at the Rolette Community Hospital for many years. Mabel was very active in all operations of the farm and also the livestock of cattle and sheep. For many years she had chickens and always tended a large vegetable garden. Mabel was always the devoted wife and mother and the quiet presence where ever and whenever she was needed. She and Howard were dedicated loving parents to David and their handicapped daughter Elaine. They cared for her in their home for many years and later were a weekly presence at San Haven, rural Dunseith and the Grafton Care Center until Elaine’s death on September 9, 1995. Howard and Mabel moved to Rolette in 1975 and Mabel was able to spend more time reading, tending flower beds and house plants, and many arts and crafts including cross stitch, quilting, hardanger just to name a few. She was a very active member of Valle Lutheran Church and the WELCA for many years and the Umbria Homemakers. Mabel always kept up to date on the activities of her granddaughter and great grandchildren. For the past 2 years, Mabel has been in the loving care of her son, Odd Fellows Home in Devils Lake, ND and the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, ND. Mabel was a woman of strong faith and strong character no matter what adversity she needed to face. She had unconditional love for all and cared deeply for every member of her family. Mabel is survived by her son David (Stephanie) Armstrong of Rolette, ND; granddaughter April and her husband Victor Boucher of Bemidji, Minnesota; great grandchildren Jenay and Ephram Boucher; many beloved nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Howard on February 21, 1998; daughter Elaine; sister and brother-in-law Marie and Henry Clark; brothers and sisters-in-law Olaus Foss, Oliver and Wilma Foss-Arstein, Melvin and Edna Foss, Grant and Thora Foss, Art and Lenore Foss and Alfred Foss; father-in-law and mother-in-law Owen and Eva Armstrong; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Frank and Eldora Armstrong and Olive and Harold Tastad.