Stella L. Armstrong

October 21, 2016

Stella L. Armstrong

Service Details

Stella L. Armstrong (Kaufmann/Lloyd) died on October 21, 2016 surrounded by family at the age of 91 and 8 months, but who is counting. Stella grew up in Wesley, Iowa before moving to Clear Lake, then Des Moines.

After raising 5 children, Stella was a world traveler in retirement. Stella's travels took her across the United States, which included 14 trips to her favorite place, Hawaii, as well as around the world to Rome, Paris, London, Jamaica, and every country touching the Panama Canal, to name a few. Des Moines and family always brought her back.

Stella watched Des Moines change from her 19th floor apartment downtown for 25 years. She spent her mornings and nights watching the sun and moon rise over our state capital, documented the progress of the East Village transformation, and watching the fireworks on the 4th of July across the horizon, from her air conditioned oasis.

The last 9 years travels kept Stella closer to home. First, were short weekend road trips where we just went “west”, reminiscing in Clear Lake, or shopping (a favorite past time) at the outlet mall. More recently, Sunday drives to the Freedom Rock, sculpture park, and Iowa Fair Grounds. The only requirement for every trip, ice cream.

Stella is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter, Patricia K. Sojka, and siblings, Michael, Gerald, and James. Stella leaves behind her loving family. 4 children: Sue (Les) Davis, Karen Kaufmann, Steve (Mardelle) Armstrong, and JoAnn Wilson; 5 grandchildren: Rick, Gina, Julie, Bridget, and Amanda; 13 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Urbandale Health and Unity Point Iowa Lutheran 2 North, for loving Stella.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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