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Harry Armstrong • 1917 - 2002 Harry J. Armstrong, 84, 708 2nd Ave. NE, Minot, died Monday, May 20, 2002, in a Minot hospital. Harry was born June 25, 1917 in Sherwood, ND, the son of Joe and Vallie (Butterfield) Armstrong. He attended school in Hamerly Township, Renville County, ND, and graduated from Sherwood High School. He attended Minot State Teachers College for one year and was given a teachers certificate in return for teaching in rural schools which he did for five years in Mercer and Ward Counties. In 1942 he began his employment in the car department of the Great Northern Railway until entering the United States Army 744th Railway Operating Battalion, where he served from March of 1944 to January of 1946. Harry then returned to the Great Northern railway until retiring in 1977. On September 30, 1953, Harry married Ann Feller Thomas in Mohall, ND. The couple were looking forward to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. As we all know, Harry had a great love for his family. He also felt he could build anything, whether a houseboat from scratch or a go-cart for his grandchildren. He never turned down a request to help fix something, whether it be from family or his friends. How they ever managed to travel to 48 states, it's a wonder! Harry was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Lodge, both Minot. He was past Governor of the Moose Club in Minot. Since his retirement he was a very active volunteer for the Golden K's, the Minot Railroad Museum and the Norsk Hostfest. Harry is survived by his wife, Ann, Minot; sons, Harry Armstrong, Jr., and wife Shirley, Westchester, Illinois, Alan Armstrong, Minot, Lowell Thomas and wife Cheryl, Minot; six grandchildren, Keli Sullivan and companion, Rosemary Kimani, Chicago, Samantha Morse and husband Jess, and C.J. Thomas, all of Minot, Courtney Thomas, Minneapolis, MN, Bryon Armstrong and wife Yoko, and Kelly Armstrong, all of Westchester, Ill; one great-grandchild, Colton Morse, Minot; sister, Louise Jevne, Fargo; brothers, Ken Armstrong, Marietta, GA, and Jerry Armstrong and wife Doris, Spencer, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Funeral: Friday, May 24, 2002, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot. Visitation: Thursday, from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to noon at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, ND. Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 7:00 p.m., at St. Leo's Catholic Church, Minot, ND. Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND Music: Colleen Schwan, vocalist Honorary Bearers: Harry's nieces and nephews Active Bearers: William "Bud" Bengson, Marvin Guenthner, John Sinn, Floyd Harshberger, Walter Kreie and Marshall Gooch Flag Presentation |