Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Patty Sue (McLallen) Armbruster
November 18,1929 – September 2, 2023
Pat Armbruster, at the age of 93, passed peacefully into her heavenly home on September 2, 2023, in Chelan, Washington. She was born in Braymer, Missouri on November 18, 1929, the oldest child of Joseph and Mildred McLallen.
Her family drove to Manson, Washington, when she was seven, to make a life in the apple industry. Her dad found a position as foreman for Beebe Orchards, and her mom cooked for the workers. After a few years, they purchased their own orchard. She attended Manson schools, graduating in 1947. That year she was a Manson Apple Blossom princess.
She, with her beautiful smile and her dad’s optimistic view of life, caught the eye of Ed Armbruster, who had recently been released from active duty in the Army Air Corps, following WWII. They were married July 6, 1947, and made their home in Manson. Ed and Pat were blessed with two daughters, Vicki and Karen, and son, Lanny, and later in life, adopted two more sons, Todd and Tony.
They purchased apple orchards in Manson, while Ed worked for the U.S. Forest Service and then the Lake Chelan Reclamation District, and Pat worked at Lake Chelan Fruit Growers as they raised their family. In the mid 80’s, she also started a new business, Pat’s Ceramics. Later, she loved working at Carol’s Special Additions and Culinary Apple. She always made time to serve on the Chelan County Election Board as a poll worker in Manson.
Pat and Ed dreamed of retiring to their family cabin in Stehekin, but Ed passed away too soon in 1990. Although they never realized that dream, four generations of Armbruster family and friends enjoyed making memories with them at the cabin.
She was active in many local clubs and organizations including Toastmasters, Chelan County Republican Women’s Club, Muscular Dystrophy Guild, and a hospital volunteer. She and Ed followed Manson High School sports avidly. She supported her children and grandchildren in their school endeavors with gusto!
Pat was a member of Manson United Methodist Church and later attended North Shore Bible Church in Manson, and after moving to Wenatchee in 2004, was active in the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church.
In 2019, she moved to Heritage Heights Assisted Living to be closer to family. Fittingly, Pat was a charter member of the Board of Directors that was responsible for building Heritage Heights.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her parents Joe and Mildred McLallen; sons: Lanny and Todd; sister, Bonnie; and brother, Jerry.
She is survived by her daughters: Vicki (Herold) Peebles of East Wenatchee, Washington, and Karen (Marv) Jeffries of Liberty Lake, Washington; son, Tony of Arizona; foster daughter Peggy (Don) Ritchie of Kent, Washington; sister, Enable Faidley of Nevada; sister-in-law and friend, Judy Armbruster of Issaquah, Washington; granddaughters: Jennifer Witherbee, Heather Coe, Ashley Monteith, and Mikela Armbruster; grandsons Robert Peebles, Sean Jeffries, Eddy Armbruster, TJ Armbruster, and Brendan Armbruster; three great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons.
During her life, she easily made friends and reached out to others. Family, friends, and her growing faith in Jesus Christ were at the center of her life. Her family is so grateful to the caregiving staff of Heritage Heights and Hospice who took such loving care of her, plus the residents who visited and loved her. The residents and staff have become extended family, and we cherish them!
A service celebrating her life will be planned for the spring.
Precht Rose Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please leave your thoughts and memories at www.prechtrose.com
