Darlene Armstrong

Darlene Leita Armstrong, 92, of Manson, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 3, 2016, at the Good Samaritan Society in Manson, Iowa.

She was born at home in Marne, Iowa, on November 16, 1923, the daughter of Chris and Fern (Schmidt) Johnson. Her family lived in Marne until she completed the eighth grade at Marne Community Schools. She then had to stay home to help take care of some relatives. Her family then moved to the edge of Atlantic where she lived until she married.

Darlene was united in marriage to Kenneth LeRoy Armstrong on September 25, 1955. Kenneth had a job with the railroad so they had to relocate to Fairbury, Nebraska, and remained there until 1969. He was then transferred to Waukee, Iowa, until 1973. After Waukee, Darlene and Kenneth moved to Anita, Iowa, and remained there for 31 years. In 2004, they relocated to Manson, Iowa, to be close to their daughter, LuAnn.

She enjoyed the simple things in life, quilting, embroidery, flower gardening, gossiping and telling jokes as she smiled a lot. Darlene was a homemaker but she did work as a certified nursing assistant for a few years at the Anita nursing home. Darlene also babysat for many children over the years. She was very fond of flowers and joined the Garden Club while living in Anita. Darlene had a strong Christian faith and was a member of the Baptist Church while living in Anita.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Armstrong; her parents, Chris and Fern Johnson; her son, Ronald Armstrong in infancy; and her brother, Clifford Johnson.

Darlene is survived by her daughter, LuAnn Slayton of Manson, Iowa; her grandson, Nate Slayton of Norwalk, CT; her sister, Maxine Blunk of Atlantic, Iowa; her brother, Larry Johnson of Lakeland, FL; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa. A time for visitation and refreshments in Hockenberry's Community room will take place immediately following the service.

Burial will be in Grange Cemetery in Honey Creek, Iowa, after refreshments.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.