Frances Armbrust

Funeral Service for Frances Armbrust, 97, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Friday, August 20, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Minnesota with Rev. Tom Olson officiating. Pallbearers will be Kevin Leininger, Becky Leininger, Jodi Johnson, Greg Johnson, Kyle Leininger, Sara Leininger, Christian Norton and James Norton. Honorary Pallbearers will be all her remaining friends and the staff of the Traverse Care Center and Prairieview Place that assisted her these many years. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Wheaton. Visitation will be Thursday, August 19th from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service at the Ranney Funeral Home in Wheaton. Frances Beatrice (Billett, Norton) Armbrust was born in Madison County, Indiana on June 29, 1913. She was the youngest child of George and Jesse (DeWitt) Billett. Her family lived in Perkinsville, Indiana and also Pateros, Washington. They finally settled on a farm in Taylor Township, Traverse County. She attended country school at District 30 where she received her eight grade diploma. She was united in marriage to Harold (Heavy) G. Norton on May 5, 1933 in Sisseton, South Dakota. They made their home on the house on the hill east of White Rock, South Dakota. Harold worked for the Traverse County Highway Department. To this union two children were born, Darrell George Norton and Judith Gale (Norton) Leininger. They moved into Wheaton, then to the filling station on highway 75 by Doran, Minnesota. Frances was struck with polio in 1948. She spent a month or more in the Breckenridge Hospital. After her recovery the family moved to a farm home south of Wheaton and eventually they moved into the city of Wheaton. After moving to Wheaton she began working at the Home Bakery, then at the J.C. Penney Store. After the J.C. Penney store closed, she was employed at the Wheaton Department Store where she became part owner. After Harold retired they were fortunate to do some traveling. Harold passed away on August 18, 1977. Frances continued to work at the store until she retired She was united in marriage to Walter Armbrust on January 24, 1979. They spent many winters traveling and enjoyed time with friends in Texas. They were one of the first residents in Prairieview Place in Wheaton. Walt passed away in 2002. Frances spent her leisure time crocheting, quilting and doing crafts. She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where she participated in circle and W.E.L.C.A. She was baptized and confirmed by Rev. Zaar. Frances passed away on August 16, 2010 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, Minnesota where she had been a resident since November 2006. Frances is survived by son Darrell (Diana) Norton of Hinckley, Minnesota, daughter Judith (Daryl) Leininger of Wheaton, Minnesota, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Frances was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold, and her second husband, Walter, her parents, brothers: Dale and wife Anah, and Forrest, sister, Margaret and her husband Fritz Johnson, Brothers-in-law: Wallace Norton and wife, Mae, and Wesley Norton and wife Madge, Sisters-in-law: Lucille and husband, Cliff Tobolt; Hazel Billett, Dorothy and husband Herman Wagner, and niece, Cloyce Mallon.