Obituaries : John Allen Armstrong (aka Papa John)

John Allen Armstrong (aka Papa John) was the son of Golden N. and Lavina F. (Schutle) Armstrong. He was born August 29, 1929, on the family farmstead located in Atkins, Iowa. He attended Atkins High and Iowa State where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.

John joined the Air Force in 1951 and worked in Air Force Intelligence. After his discharge he took a job with the Federal Government. Throughout his career in government, his residences have been searched and cleared of having any classified documents… Papa John had a wonderful sense of humor!

After retirement, John continued serving others by fitting hearing aids for those who suffered from hearing loss. This was near and dear for John as he too suffered from hearing loss at a young age and took great joy in helping others.

John married Donna R. Allard on May 26, 1956. John and Donna had four children and lived in: Sioux City, Ankeny and LeMars, Iowa, Omaha and O'Neill, Nebraska, again in Sioux City, Iowa and lastly Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

John passed away on January 24, 2023, at the Fergus Falls Veterans home at age 93. Our family wishes to thank the team and staff at the facility for the outstanding care given. We were truly fortunate to have our father spend his last days here.

Preceding his death were his wife, Donna; parents, Golden and Lavina; brother, Robert (Marge) and sister, Virginia (Warren) Schultz.

He is survived by children: David (Laurie) Armstrong, Steven (Kay) Armstrong, Brian (Kim) Armstrong and Lori (Armstrong) Larsen; seven grandchildren, Ashley Armstrong, Christopher (Jacob Deaver) Armstrong, Jacklyn (Nick) DePietro, Tyler (Patience) Armstrong, Alicia (Anthony) Hanson, Joseph (Rebecca) Larsen and Kaitlin Larsen; step-grandchildren, Ashley Armstrong and Blake Karch; great-grandchildren: Sophia and Ellie Armstrong, Jacob and Gabriel Hanson, Wyatt, Madelyn and Levi Larsen; step great-grandchildren, Alayna, Austyn and Adalyn Armstrong; and sister Diane (Roger) Elston.

John and Donna were devoted to each other and lived their lives with Faith, Family, Love and Fun. We were blessed to have them.

A future family and guest celebration is being planned.