"To die would be a great adventure"

Daniel Robert Armstrong
(April 8, 1950 - February 27, 2010)

Daniel R. “Dan” Armstrong, 59, passed away peacefully in the log home he built in Cocolalla, Idaho on Saturday, February 27, 2010.

He was born to Delmer and Donna Armstrong on April 8, 1950 in Logan, Utah. His father was head ranger so he grew up in Zion, Yosemite, and Olympic National Parks. There he developed a love for the outdoors and sense of adventure, which he would carry with him all his life.

Dan graduated from high school in Port Angeles, WA and attended the University of Washington. He had many adventures in New Zealand, Australia, and all over the Americas. On April 9, 1977 he married Stacy Claypool. They settled on the family property in North Idaho in 1989 where they logged, built their own house, raised their children, and enjoyed the many wonderful outdoor activities this area offers.

He will be remembered for his undaunted spirit, his wild adventure stories, his dedication, love and support for friends and family, and his ability to make everyone around him laugh.

Dan is survived by his wife Stacy; two children Del and Mariah Armstrong; his mother, Donna; and Brother Randy Armstrong. His father, Delmer, preceded him in death.

Memorial services to celebrate Dan’s life will be conducted at 1:00PM, on Saturday March 6, 2010 at the New Song Bible Church in Sagle, with Pastor Barry Johnson, officiating.

MY Thoughts:

Last week I was so torn on whether or not to attend the memorial service. All these thoughts ran through my head about not being able to go alone, not wanting to make it harder on Del. I had decided to not go...all the way up until 15 minutes prior to the memorial. I stopped into Grandpa's, knowing I couldn't do it alone, to see if he might come along with me. We got to the church a little late, which was perfect. They were just getting ready to start - and that meant Del didn't have to see me there. You know when you become so close to someone that you consider them family...well I guess that's what happend here. Although I was never a part of the Armstrong family, I do love and appreciate Stacy and Dan so much. They taught me lessons I would have never learned otherwise throughout the past few years. I wanted to attend to show love and support to the family - History of drama aside. I didn't expect to say anything, just to show my love and support. Dan was such a great father, friend, and story teller. My most fond memories of him are when I'd show up and he'd be sitting in his chair - reading his newspaper - and listening to the basketball games on the radio. OR when I would be there in the evenings, and he'd be writing a small section of his memoir, or possibly a letter to the editor. He told the most amazing stories, there was never a dull moment the the Armstrongs. He will be dearly missed...

It was the hardest thing to do to sit in the back, all alone as those I used to consider friends all sat together behind the family. I knew it was not my place...But it was hard for me to cope too. Most thought I shouldn't have cared, most didn't expect it to affect me...But it did deeply, and I did it alone. I didn't say a word to the family, but they did see I was there as they walked out of the service. Grandpa and I left immediately so that I wouldn't cause a scene. That day was not about what was going on in the past, but strictly to reflect the adventurous most amazing life I've ever heard about. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to really get to know Dan and converse with him. He lived a life that many will never ever get the opportunity to experience. The Armstrong family are in the my thoughts and prayers and they cope with this great loss!

First [official] Apartment Gathering

Welcome to the party for Matthew Bouse's birthday!

This is me in the kitchen preparing Enchiladas for dinner. Others brought Beans, Jello salad, and juice:)

Everyone arriving. We have way to much fun in the Sandpoint YSA. I truly can call everyone a friend to me. Above is Taylor Rios (Libby) And John Hull (Westmond)

Megan (sunnyside) and I finishing the Jello Salad.

Me, Katie (Libby) and Megan in the kitchen helping with Jello, Enchiladas, and salsa!

Taking a break while the chicken was baking. Others in the background are helping out.

As we were waiting for everyone arrived, everyone took turns playing Rock band.


While the Enchiladas were cooking, we played a couple rounds of scategories. So much fun and so many laughs. This is Rick, Katie and Taylor cheering for the major points their team scored!

These two have to be my two new best friends. This is Rick and Taylor (both from Libby) and I...playing scategories.

After eating Dinner, we gave Matthew his birthday present. This was a shirt we had made for him. It reads, " Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful, hate me 'cause I make UH-mazing Pies". The story behind this is Matthew Bouse makes the best pies I've ever had. & I'm not even a pie fan!!! He makes pies frequently for our YSA activities.

Rashelle (Clark Fork) and I lighting the birthday candles on Matthew's cake.

After the birthday cake, we played a couple rounds of the "what if" games. Also known to the Noble family as Who, What, Where, When, Why.

The purpose of the gathering was a movie night. So the group agreed to watch Sandlot. Rick, Taylor, and Ryan have been talking for a week about pushing my twin beds together and laying there. They finally did it while everyone was watching the movie. A few us sat in the spare room chatting while others watched the movie.

Ryan, Rick, and Taylor (Libby)

Socializing and having so much fun:)

For the party I had made a Banana cream pie in case there wasn't enough cake to go around. But there happened to be the perfect amount of cake. We didn't want to pull out the pie if we didn't have too...knowing there wouldn't be enough for all. So when there was enough cake, rick snuck into the kitchen and brought the pie into the spare room covered in paper towels as to not raise in questions. He is so weird! Hah but so funny! It took two trips, one with the pie, two for milk! haha.

The 5 of us shared the entire pie:)

Ryan could not get enough of the pie, he ended up licking the lid! haha
My Banana cream pie once again - a hit!

We devoured the pie.

We went to breakfast at hoot owl first thing in the morning - Only after watching Thursdays episode of American Idol:) I had so much fun this weekend and am so happy with the YSA. The activities have been so much fun! I honestly love each and every person that comes to the activities, who I otherwise would not have come into contact with. We laugh a lot, we play a lot but all in all, we're grateful for each others company to create lasting memories!

Enjoying the sunshine!

A Thursday out - and - about

Last week the weather was extremely beautiful, so some girls from work and I decided to go for a walk. We weren't sure where to walk - it was between the long bridge and the beach. Being the first walk we'd been on and the windy weather we decided the long bridge was out of the question. Brittnie's son Brayde was all bundled up for the occasion. We stopped to swing on the swings for awhile, Bradye loved the swings:)

This is Brittnie's son Brayde. He's so cute and fun to play with.

The is the view from Sandpoint city beach.

The swimming area at the city beach.

A-rod and I enjoying the sunshine

Stopping by the playground to let Brayde play on the swings. He loves to be outside...He just laughed and laughed and laughed:)

We have way too much fun on our days off:)

After the beach it was still too nice outside to go home. So we pretended to be tourists in our own town. We walked downtown and stopped in some of the shops. Zany Zebra is quite popular here, and we took a few moments to browse around - try things on - laugh - and take pictures.

A-rod, Brittnie, and I at Zany Zebra.

After walking downtown and many laughs shared we loaded up in A-rod's new truck and began heading home. In the truck, Brayde fell asleep. Being that he hadn't had a nap we hated to go straight to the house, we just knew the moment the truck stopped he'd wake up! A-rod suggested we go for a little drive, so we continued up Baldy. We hit some snow, but not much! It was so pretty, we got to witness the sunset, but couldn't stop driving till Brayde woke up. When we did finally stop, it was here at this plow. How awesome is this! I was fortunate enough to hop out and snap a picture. I love it...looks so awesome. Reminds me of something that my brother Matt would own or something. My dad needs one of these:) So awesome.

Being silly:)

Yes I was wearing flip flops. Even though it was high 40's in town...it was pretty chilly up on the mountain though. My toes were purple, but it was fun and worth it!


It was such a fun day. I loved every minute of the fun times we had together and the many laughs and memories.