Essa Helen Armstrong

Essa Helen Armstrong passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born on Jan. 3, 1939, to Thomas Markham LaDue Sr. and Corinne Helen Craig LaDue in Wright County, Mo. The family moved to Nevada while Helen was in first grade. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1957 at the Fox Theatre due to the burning of the high school in November of 1956.

Helen married Keith Armstrong on June 13, 1957, in Miami, Okla., and he preceded her in death on Aug. 8, 2005. During her life, she worked at Crawford House Senior Center for three years, Mattingly’s/Matco/Places retail store for 17 years and Village Laundry for 28 plus years, before retiring on Feb. 29, 2020.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Jerry LaDue, Dan LaDue, Harry Ladue and Thomas Ladue Jr.; brothers-in-law, Dale Henson, Dale Langshaw, and John Miles; and sisters-in-law, Dottie Miles, Beryl LaDue, Andre LaDue, Dodie LaDue and Linda LaDue.

She is survived by her son, Bryan Armstrong (Lisa) and daughter Renda Armstrong (Deb) both of Nevada; sister, June Henson of Nevada; brother, Sam LaDue of Parker, Colo.; grandsons, Kyle Armstrong (Brooke) of Joplin, Logan Armstrong of Nevada and Jacob Armstrong (Gianna) of Nevada; great-granddaughter, Hadley; sisters-in-law, Kay Langshaw of Kansas City, Kan., and Nancy Pettibon (Joe) of Bolivar, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews; and special neighbors, Shauna Horn and Arlinda Vittetoe.

The family would like to thank the staff of Compassus Hospice for their care of Helen over the last few months.

Graveside services with be held at Fort Scott National Cemetery on Friday, April 28, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in memory of Helen.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.