Elsie M. Armstrong, 85 years old, passed away peacefully surrounded by her beloved family on August 11, 2023 at her home in Helena. Elsie was born on November 19, 1937, in Missoula to Domenick and Carmela Monaco. She grew up in Blossburg where her father was a tunnel watchman for the Northern Pacific Railway. She went to school for the first and second grades in Anaconda until the school was open in Blossburg, then went back to attend school in a one-room schoolhouse. She then went to Anaconda to attend high school and stayed with her older sister who had married and had moved there. She spent her summers with her parents at Blossburg. When she graduated from Anaconda High School in 1955, she moved to Helena, where she lived. She has two sisters, Irma and Florence.
She married Paul Sebens of Helena in 1960, and had two children: a son, Paul Sebens, and a daughter, Debra (Debbie) Sebens. They divorced in 1980. She married Bob Armstrong in 1981. She has two grandchildren, Domenick (Amanda) Sebens of Missoula, and Desiree` (Dan) Swehla of Missoula. Her family also includes stepson, Robert (Robbie) and stepdaughter, Christy (David) Kanz, eight step-grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Elsie attended business school in Helena in 1955 and then went to work for the state department of Health for five years. She worked various part time positions after her children were born. In 1974, she worked for various state government agencies until 1988, then went to work at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies until she retired in 2008 at age 70. She loved her job and the people she worked with.
Her favorite hobby was reading, being an avid reader, she always had the next book she wanted to read readily available. Elsie was loved by many. She found the best in most people she met and loved making people around her happy. She loved her family and was very close to them, including her family in Anaconda. She liked doing things with her husband and travelling with him. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She loved playing with her children and attending their activities. She had great times with her grandchildren and loved playing with them when they were little. She loved going to Desiree’s softball games and Domenick’s basketball games. She will be greatly missed by her entire family.
Elsie is survived by her husband, Bob, her children, Paul (Kim) Sebens of Helena and Debbie Sebens of Great Falls; her stepchildren, Christy (David) Kanz, of Gig Harbor; Rob Armstrong of Helena; her grandchildren, Domenick (Amanda) Sebens of Missoula, and Desiree’ (Dan) Swehla of Missoula; her step grandchildren, Jonathan, Amelia, Nicholas, Nathan, Justin, Natalie, Abigail, Joshua Kanz of Gig Harbor; three great grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Domenick and Carmela Monaco; her sister and brother-in-law, Mike and Irma Martello; sister Florence (Jim) Bubash, niece MaryAnn Hanson, and niece Sandy (Les) Joronen.
Graveside services will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
08/25/2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
08/25/2023
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Rhonda Robertson says
Paul and Debbie,
So sorry you’ve lost your sweet Mom. Even though it was many years ago I remember her as a very loving Mother and a hard worker. Praying for comfort and peace for you during this difficult time. May your wonderful memories help bring joy to your heart and ease your sadness.
Rhonda Strainer Robertson
Mike Cooney says
Paul, Debbie and Bob,
I am so sorry that I just found out about Elsie’s passing. But please know how sorry I am for your loss.
Elsie will always be such a special person in my heart. She was so good to work with and always made my job so easy. We had a lot of laughs and an occasional tear. She was always there willing to stay late and come in early to make sure we got the job done, and done the Elsie way! She had a huge heart and wanted to use it to make this a better world. She taught me so much during our time together and I am grateful we had that time. I’ve had the pleasure to work along side so many wonderful people but know that your mom was tops in my book. I am thinking of you. With my deepest sympathy,
Mike Cooney