David William Armstrong, 56

David William Armstrong, 56, passed away at his home on the North Fork Road in Columbia Falls on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

He was born March 1, 1955, in Bemidji, Minn., to William and Mary Armstrong. He was baptized and later confirmed in the Lutheran faith. The family moved to Columbia Falls when he was an infant. He attended Columbia Falls schools. One of the highlights of these school years was playing saxophone in the Columbia Falls High School band and the Columbians. He was a member of the band that Don Lawrence and chaperones took on the first “Band Trip to Europe.” He worked at several lumber mills in the area until, one by one, they closed. He worked at Herberger’s department store in Kalispell and had recently been in the Glendive area applying for work in the oil fields. He got sick from heat exhaustion, was able to come back home and then acquired pneumonia.

He married Patricia Robert and they had a son, Joshua. 

David later married Karla Reid and they had a son, Gabriel, and a daughter, Sarah. 

On July 22, 2000, he married Diana Randolph and gained stepson, Russell.

David was one of the first hang gliders to soar off Teakettle Mountain. He loved to “fly,” fish, hunt deer and elk, and most of all, he loved his family.

He leaves to mourn his early and untimely passing, his family — wife, Diana Armstrong; parents, William and Mary Armstrong; his children, son Joshua Armstrong of Glendive, son Gabriel Armstrong of Columbia Falls, and daughter Sarah Armstrong Hylton and Louis of Kalispell; his sister, Diane Armstrong Lalum and Allen, and brother, Bradley Armstrong and Karla, of Columbia Falls; stepson Russell Ryan and step-grandson Hunter Ryan; two nephews, William Lalum of Renton, Wash., and Nathan Lalum and wife, Rev. Katie Nelson of Columbia Heights, Minn. He is also survived by many cousins in Minnesota, Montana and Arizona, and his childhood friend Andy Fisher of Arlee.

David was preceded in death by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and two cousins, Karla Glawe and Paul Armstrong; and special friends, Bill Ladenburg, Charlie Ladenburg, Jim Ladenburg and Glen Speer.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh St. W., in Columbia Falls, with Pastor Peter Erickson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.