Betty Armstrong, 89 of What Cheer, died Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Visitation with the family will be held Friday, August 28, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Inurnment will be in the McFarlan at What Cheer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the:

Keokuk County Fair

13061 170th Street

What Cheer, IA 50268

Betty Jean Strasser Armstrong RN, the oldest daughter of Marvin and Nancy Utterback Strasser, was born May 14, 1937 at her maternal grandparents' home in Delta, Iowa. She completed grades 1 to 8 in the one-room Fisher School of Mahaska County and graduated in 1955 from Gibson, Iowa High School. Betty played the post-guard position for Gibson in six-on-six girls' basketball. While detasseling corn, in the Summer of 1953, Betty was sent in to "dig-out" Richard Armstrong of What Cheer, Iowa. Romance ensued with Betty and Richard being united in marriage at the Oskaloosa, Iowa First Christian Church on September 29, 1956. To this union were born daughters Terry Lea, Lynne Ann, and son David Kent. Upon Richard's graduation from Iowa State University, the family moved to Southern California. While in California, Betty graduated from Los Angeles Valley College with an associate in arts in Nursing in 1970. Betty was an After Surgery Recovery Room nurse throughout her 27-year nursing career, receiving the Van Nuys, California Valley Presbyterian Hospital's "Unit Nurse of the Year" award in 1992 and "Outstanding Service Award" in 1995.

Upon retiring, Betty and Richard moved back to the What Cheer family farm and aided in the care of their mothers. Betty was co-secretary of the Keokuk County Fair Board and enjoyed working in Thomas Hall during the Flea Markets.

Betty is survived by Richard, her husband of 69 years, daughter Terry Studer of El Cajon, California, son David (Peihong) Armstrong of Monroe, North Carolina, daughter Lynne Onak of Torrance, California, brother Robert (Linda) Strasser of Oskaloosa, Iowa, brother Gary (Connie) Strasser of Coon Rapids, Iowa, ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Gerry Onak, son-in-law David Studer and sister Esther (Keith) Augustine of Rose Hill, Iowa.