Yvonne Armstrong

Audrey Yvonne Armstrong passed away February 7th, 2026. She was known to family and friends alike as "Yvonne" and to her grandkids as "Grandma Von".

Yvonne was born May 26th, 1931 in Williston, ND to Elmer and Mable (Sonstoby) Tofte and raised in rural Williston. She graduated high school in 1949 and went on to graduate from the Minot State Teacher's College back when Teaching Certificates only took two years to complete.

In 1956, as a young, single, woman she travelled Europe but spent most of her time in Norway where she met relatives. This was a big adventure as she took a ship there, returning to the U.S. via plane and landed without a penny left to her name.

Yvonne moved to Conrad, Montana for her teaching assignment and it was there that she met Darwin "Fuzz" Armstrong. The two married on December 28th, 1957 at the Williston Lutheran Church. The couple was married for 29 years. Her teaching career took her to rural schools in Western North Dakota, Laurel, MT, Conrad, MT, Bynum, MT and Choteau, MT where she resided from 1958-2026. These teaching assignments were often in one room schoolhouses and some had her housed with families of the children she taught. While teaching in Laurel she and her roommate, Noreen, used their kitchen cabinets to store pairs of shoes-a pair for each outfit! While teaching in Conrad her average class size was 40. Substitute teaching brought her to Bynum and Choteau where she then spent 25 years tutoring students who needed a little extra help.

Yvonne was involved with the Jaycees, and all aspects of Trinity Lutheran Church. There she was a Deacon, Sunday school Superintendent, Teacher, and helped with the Lutefisk Dinners. She was affectionately known as the "Nazi" who ran the funeral dinners. She was involved with Bible studies, ladies circle and was also an incredible cook and baker. Her Hershey's brownies, caramel rolls, and potato salad were the best. She made 200 caramel rolls for her granddaughter, Jill's graduation.

She was a great listener and friend. You couldn't have asked for a better neighbor. Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews loved her. She was always there for them and any other child that needed a helping hand or a listening ear. Yvonne loved her friends and family, and she was loved by them. Yvonne lived for her family. She was passionate about her Norwegian heritage, Lutefisk (a disgusting dish) was her favorite. More recently in life she had become a wine connoisseur. She loved having her hair and

nails done by friends Kim and Lori. Music was something she enjoyed as she sang and played the piano. She was even a member of the family band playing along side her dad who played the fiddle while her cousins were on guitar and accordion. Her love of shoes would be unsurpassed!

She is survived by her son Mark (Lyla) Armstrong of Choteau, MT, and daughter Darla (Dave) Haller of Basin, WY. Grandchildren; Sam (Mariah) Armstrong, Jesse Armstrong, Becca Armstrong and Jillian Lorash. Great-Grandchildren; Lucy, Kohen, Jens and Aksel Armstrong, Lilly Armstrong, and P.J. Lorash along with many nieces and nephews and Sister-in-law Marcella Rodriguez.

She is proceeded in death by husband Fuzz Armstrong, parents; Elmer and Mable Tofte; brothers Odeane and Wyatt Tofte; Mother and Father-in-law Florence and Noble Armstrong; brothers-in-law Leonard and Walt Armstrong; sisters-in-law Maxine Schlosser and Pat Giard.

A memorial is planned for late May.

Donations may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Choteau in lieu of flowers.