Kenneth "Ken" L. Armstrong

Kenneth Lee "Ken" Armstrong, son of Earl Kenneth and Betty Lee (Thompson) Armstrong, was born on November 15, 1950 at Iowa City, Iowa. He passed away unexpectedly on Thursday evening May 28, 2015 at the Shenandoah Medical Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 64. Because there was no kindergarten in Exline, Iowa, where his early childhood was spent, Ken started school in the First Grade. During that school year, the family moved to Shenandoah, where Ken was placed in the Kindergarten class. He received his education in the Shenandoah Community Schools, graduating from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1969. At the early age of 12, Ken began working at Mount Arbor Nursery. Following high school, Ken worked for Imperial Chemical Company and also a construction company. In May of 1970, during Vietnam, Ken was drafted into the Army. He served through November of 1971, attaining the rank of SP4. During his service he received the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal w/one Bronze Service Star and the Army Commendation Medal. He served in the Army Reserves until being honorably discharged ...[more]

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1976. On December 16, 1972, Ken was united in marriage to Michelle (Shell) Perkins at the First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. Following their marriage they made their home in Essex where they raised their three children, Jason, Nikki and Jamie. In 1973, Ken started working at the Eaton Corp. in Shenandoah. He worked there for 39 ½ years before retiring in 2012. In retirement, Ken was able to focus more on the things he enjoyed, messing with his computers, dog racing, going fishing, playing catch, hitting softballs, pickup basketball games and even just doing yard work with his grandchildren. He loved his family very much. Anyone that knew Ken, quickly noticed his terrific sense of humor. He was one of a kind. Growing up, he spent a lot of time around horses and would break them for neighbors to ride. There were more race tracks around the area back then and he would "jockey" for many people. He always enjoyed the races. Preceding Ken in death were his parents; brother, John Armstrong; brother-in-law, Bill Perkins; and granddaughter, Claire McKinney. He is survived by his loving wife, Shell Armstrong of Essex; three children, Jason Armstrong and wife Mary Anne of Clarinda, IA, Nikki Garner of Shenandoah and Jamie Vanatta of Essex; sister, Betty Jo Phillips and husband Terry of Shenandoah; two brothers, Bert Armstrong of Shenandoah and Troy Armstrong of Leon, IA; eleven grandchildren, Ryan and Chris McKinney, Alexandra, Jacob, Samantha and Tabitha Armstrong, Breanna Delp and husband Marcus, Brydget Bird, Lyzzy Garner, Qwintyn and Paityn Vanatta; brother-in-laws, Pat, Bob and Don Perkins; along with numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends. Ken was a wonderful loving husband, daddy, grandpa, uncle, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed by all. Ken's wishes were to be cremated. The family will have a private celebration of his life at later date.