Mary Alice Armstrong

Mary Alice Armstrong, 104, died Monday, October 29, 2012, Grand Island, NE. Private family services will be at St. Leos Catholic Church on Friday, November 2, 2012 with burial in Grand Island city cemetery. There will be no visitation. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family. Mrs. Armstrong was born August 4, 1908 in Elm Creek, Nebraska the daughter of James & Regina (Pflaum) Fitzgerald. The family moved to Haxtun, Colorado in her early years. She began college at Greeley Teachers College in Colorado and taught music in the Haxtun High School. She later attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, majoring in music, graduating in 1932. While at the University of Nebraska, she met her future husband, Charles E. Armstrong. They were united in marriage, June 24, 1936. Mrs. Armstrong was an elementary school teacher in McCook and Lincoln. Her husband was a high school math teacher and coach in Lincoln, later a coach at the University of Nebraska and then a director of YMCAs in McCook and Lincoln. At age 100, she moved to Riverside Lodge in Grand Island. Mrs. Armstrong held long time memberships in St. Theresas Catholic Church and then St. Johns Catholic Church, both in Lincoln. She was a member of the PEO sisterhood for over 75 years and in retirement a volunteer at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Lincoln. She enjoyed vocal music and played the piano daily until the time of her death. She was an avid reader of newspapers, accomplished at sewing and baking, and an excellent bridge player. From high school until the time of her husbands death she especially enjoyed dancing. Survivors of the immediate family include her four children and their spouses: Regina & James Siegwarth of Boulder, Colorado, Charles E. and Meta Armstrong, Jr. of Grand Island, Suzanne & Gary Leicht of Niwot, Colorado, Beverly & Gerald Owens of Seward, Nebraska, 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles E. Armstrong, one great grandchild and four siblings.