Betty Marie Armstrong, 85

Published 7:01 am Sunday, April 3, 2016

Armstrong

Betty Marie (Ulland) Armstrong of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, passed away on March 22, 2016, at the age of 85.

She was born March 13, 1931, in Austin, Minnesota, to Palmer Anton and Myrtle Gladys (Rolfson) Ulland. Betty grew up on the family farm, the oldest daughter of seven children. She spent many summers living in northern Minnesota while her father managed road projects as co-founder of Ulland Brothers Construction. Betty was a star student through school and graduated from Austin High School in 1949. Her first job was doing office work for an auctioneer.

Betty married Charles Allan “Chuck” Armstrong on Aug. 1, 1950, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Austin. They were life partners in love, family, and business, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary before Chuck’s death in January 2011. Her quiet, organized demeanor balanced Chuck’s bold entrepreneurial pursuits.

After selling Chuck’s Phillips 66 on Water Street in Austin, the family moved to International Falls, Minnesota, where they purchased Rainy Lake Oil, later adding Northway Services, Orr, Minnesota; Armstrong Ford, International Falls; and Agassie Oil, Virginia, Minnesota. Betty was the chief office manager and bookkeeper throughout.

Betty received an AA degree from Rainy River Junior College in 1976. The required physical education credits included taking swimming lessons with her 2-year old granddaughter. She retired with Chuck to Oahu in 1981. While on Oahu, Betty earned a Bachelors Degree in Business and Accounting at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

In 1991, they moved to Kauai and built a home in the Wailua Homesteads where she lived until 2012. Her final move was to the Regency at Puakea in Lihue where a true Kauai ohana formed with fellow residents and staff.

Betty was a gracious and involved mother and passed her love of reading onto her five children. She was an accomplished knitter and created beautiful patterned mittens, scarves, and Norwegian sweaters. Betty was a good cook and fed her large family well. Geneology became a passion and countless hours were spent researching all branches of the family tree. As an avid gardener, rock flower gardens decorated with gnomes surrounded their home on Rainy Lake near International Falls. She loved growing orchids at their homes in Hawaii and was especially proud of her red poinsettias.

Her eyes sparkled when she smiled and she was generous with praise and thank you’s. Hawaii was her home for 35 years and she had deep appreciation for the diversity and spirit of aloha. Five generations were fortunate to visit the islands and the love for Hawaii grew throughout the family.

Betty was proceeded in death by her husband; her parents; her brother, Eugene Ulland; and sister, Rose Mary Ulland.

Survivors include son, Lynn Charles Armstrong of Waipouli, Kauai, Hawaii; daughters, Vicki Cheyenne (Wayne) Harala of Florence, Wisconsin, Amy Faith (Joseph) Matson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Kathy Jill Mulic of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Judy Marie (Thomas) Briggs of Waverly, Minnesota; grandchildren, Kindi Harala, Tricia (Jeremy) Hipps, Katie (Richard) Matson-Daley, Laura and Kelly Matson, Nikol Larson, Charles Mulic, Marie and Lexy Briggs; great-grandchildren, Owen and Walter Hipps, Abigail Mulic, Kaylee, Jayden, MacKenzie, Tyler, and Blake Larson, Maci Mathias; sister, Ann (John) Hess of Christiansburg, Virginia; brothers, John (Jan) Ulland of Austin, Minnesota, Robert (Myrna) Ulland of Scottsdale, Arizona, Paul (Judy) Ulland of LaCrescent, Minnesota; sister-in-law Geri Ulland of Mesa, Arizona; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial and celebration of her life will be held on the mainland at a later date. Her ashes will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Red Cross, Minnesota Historical Society, or your favorite charity. Borthwick Kauai Mortuary of Koloa assisted the Armstrong family with arrangements.