Neal Armstrong
Neal Armstrong
Neal Armstrong

Obituary of Neal A. Armstrong

Rev. Neal Alden Armstrong was born August 20, 1936 in Neola, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Ruth Armstrong. He died April 21, 2013. Neal graduated from Neola High School, Blackburn College, the University of Dubuque Seminary, and received an Educational Specialist degree from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Neola in 1961. He married Carol Phillips on May 30, 1958. The couple has three children, Christopher (Sharon), Margaret Ruth (Tim), and Laura. There are seven grandchildren, Brendan, Brandon, Aric, Alex, and Catherine Waltz, and Kelsey and Amber Armstrong. Neal served churches in Iowa and Illinois, and taught at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska and Iowa Lakes Community College. He served as minister of the Gruver Presbyterian Church from 1968 until it closed in 2006. Neal is survived by his wife, Carol, three children, one brother, Kenneth, seven grandchildren, two nephews and one niece. God's people were the focus of his life, including students, the church people, and family. He will be laid to rest in Lakeview Gardens Cemetery, Spirit Lake.