Louella Mae Momberg Armstrong Wahler, 93

Louella Mae Momberg Armstrong Wahler was born on Aug.  21, 1920.

Louella was a great mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She died on June 3, 2014, of natural causes at the age of 93, with no suffering.      

Louella was born on a ranch southeast of Browning and grew up in that area until old enough to go away to Flandreau, S.D., to attend boarding school. She stayed there until her school was completed and then went to Milwaukee to become a nanny to two boys. After this she came back to the Cut Bank area to help on the ranch by bucking hay bales with the best of them, riding fence, driving cattle, tallying cattle during branding, milking cows and whatever chore came up besides these.  

When World War II began, her father moved the family to the West Coast so he could work, and during the war Louella became a lead welder on the aircraft carriers and destroyers used by our servicemen and women. She was always extremely proud of this part of her life.

Louella worked many jobs as she married and her family grew. She enjoyed working as a clerk for the State of Montana Liquor Store, and as a bookkeeper for Farm and Home Administration helping the farmers and ranchers surrounding the Cut Bank area. During this time her children attended school in Cut Bank. Louella was active in school activities and she and her husband, Pete, managed the American Legion baseball team for many years. Her home was open to various cheerleading squads as lodging during the basketball tournaments held in Cut Bank. Her seamstress abilities were always put to the test by designing and sewing tumbling costumes for the tumbling team representing the Cut Bank Wolves during sports events.

Louella loved to camp, picnic, fish and hike with her family and friends. For several years she would ride in a cattle drive from the Babb region to her father's ranch north of Cut Bank. Penny pitch, pinochle and cribbage would pass the time by the campfires at night.

Louella and her husband, Pete, managed the bowling alley lunch counter in Cut Bank, catering to the many school kids coming in to have burgers and Louella’s famous “hand pie.” Her pies became so well-liked by the townspeople that she often had requests for over a hundred pies during holiday seasons.

Louella spent time managing apartments in Butte, Anchorage, Alaska, and the Seattle area for Housing and Urban Development. True to her nature, she loved this work because she was able to help families and became a grandma to many children who most assuredly hold her dear to their hearts to this day.

In years following, Louella traveled to many road and bridge construction jobsites with her daughter to watch over her granddaughter. She loved every minute of it.  

Louella was preceded in death by her parents, L.J. and Millie Bird Momberg; brothers, Charles, Gus and Everett “Pee Wee;” sisters, Helen and Jewel; grandson, Robert “Robbie;” her husbands, Orville Schock, Robert “Pete” Armstrong and Frank Wahler; and her sons, Louis “Butch” and Denzal.  

She is survived by her daughters, Lila Lee, Lou Ann and Denise; granddaughters, Chrystelle, Jeannette and Billie Sue; grandsons, Will and Aaron; and great-grandchildren, Aubree Winter, Hendrix William, Tristan, Kayla, Marcus and Robert.

Louella will be missed by all of her family, immediate and extended. No longer can we gaze into her kind face to find the support and love we need. We can and will, however, hold her close to our hearts.

Louella’s dear friends Sandra and Ed Tecca will forever be in our family. An unbreakable bond of love exists between Sandra's mother, Delores, and Louella. We are all quite certain they are now sharing a hot cup of coffee and a cookie and much laughter.

There will be a funeral at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Cut Bank, with burial following at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Louella’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Louella’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.