Obituaries for April 3, 2016

Obituaries for April 3, 2016

Betty Marie Armstrong

Betty Marie (Ulland) Armstrong of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, passed away on March 22, 2016, at the age of 85.

She was born March 13, 1931, in Austin, Minnesota, to Palmer Anton and Myrtle Gladys (Rolfson) Ulland. Betty grew up on the family farm, the oldest daughter of seven children. She spent many summers living in northern Minnesota while her father managed road projects as co-founder of Ulland Brothers Construction. Betty was a star student through school and graduated from Austin High School in 1949. Her first job was doing office work for an auctioneer.

Betty married Charles Allan “Chuck” Armstrong on Aug. 1, 1950, at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Austin. They were life partners in love, family and business, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary before Chuck’s death in January 2011. Her quiet, organized demeanor balanced Chuck’s bold entrepreneurial pursuits.

After selling Chuck’s Phillips 66 on Water Street in Austin, the family moved to International Falls, Minn., where they purchased Rainy Lake Oil, later adding Northway Services, Orr, Minn.; Armstrong Ford, International Falls; and Agassie Oil, Virginia, Minn. Betty was the chief office manager and bookkeeper throughout.

Betty received an AA degree from Rainy River Junior College in 1976. The required Phy.Ed. credits included taking swimming lessons with her 2-year-old granddaughter. She retired with Chuck to Oahu in 1981. While on Oahu, Betty earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.

In 1991, they moved to Kauai and built a home in the Wailua Homesteads where she lived until 2012. Her final move was to the Regency at Puakea in Lihue where a true Kauai ohana formed with fellow residents and staff.

Betty was a gracious and involved mother and passed her love of reading onto her five children. She was an accomplished knitter and created beautiful patterned mittens, scarves and Norwegian sweaters. Betty was a good cook and fed her large family well. Geneology became a passion and countless hours were spent researching all branches of the family tree. As an avid gardener, rock flower gardens decorated with gnomes surrounded their home on Rainy Lake near International Falls. She loved growing orchids at their homes in Hawaii and was especially proud of her red poinsettias.

Her eyes sparkled when she smiled and she was generous with praise and thank you’s. Hawaii was her home for 35 years and she had deep appreciation for the diversity and spirit of aloha. Five generations were fortunate to visit the islands and the love for Hawaii grew throughout the family.

Betty was proceeded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, Eugene Ulland and sister, Rose Mary Ulland.

Survivors include son, Lynn Charles Armstrong of Waipouli, Kauai, Hawaii; daughters, Vicki Cheyenne (Wayne) Harala of Florence, Wis.; Amy Faith (Joseph) Matson of St. Louis Park, Minn.; Kathy Jill Mulic of Maple Grove, Minn.; Judy Marie (Thomas) Briggs of Waverly, Minn.; grandchildren, Kindi Harala, Tricia (Jeremy) Hipps, Katie (Richard) Matson-Daley, Laura and Kelly Matson, Nikol Larson, Charles Mulic, Marie and Lexy Briggs; great-grandchildren, Owen and Walter Hipps, Abigail Mulic, Kaylee, Jayden, MacKenzie, Tyler, and Blake Larson, Maci Mathias; sister, Ann (John) Hess of Christiansburg, Virginia; brothers, John (Jan) Ulland of Austin, Minnesota; Robert (Myrna) Ulland of Scottsdale, Arizona; Paul (Judy) Ulland of LaCrescent Minnesota; sister-in-law Geri Ulland of Mesa, Arizona; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial and celebration of her life will be held on the Mainland at a later date. Her ashes will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Red Cross, Minnesota Historical Society, or your favorite charity. Borthwick Kauai Mortuary of Koloa assisted the Armstrong family with arrangements.

Norman L. Schuller

Norman L. Schuller, 76, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016. He was born in Dubuque, Iowa, on Nov. 10, 1939.

Norm worked for United Airlines for more than 35 years until he retired in 1995 and relocated to Princeville, Kauai, in 2005.

Since moving to Kauai, Norm volunteered many hours at Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse and was recently recognized for his many volunteer hours. In addition to being an active volunteer in the community, Norm and Julie appeared annually at holiday celebrations throughout the island as Santa and Mrs. Claus, bringing joy to the children of Kauai at Christmastime. Norm was larger than life and we have been blessed to have had him in our lives. He truly will be remembered forever by his loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Leona Schuller, his late wife Sharon Jipson Schuller, and two sisters Barbara and Marilyn. He is survived by his devoted wife Julie of Princeville, HI; daughters Dawn (Brad) Miller of Castle Rock, CO, Wendy (Greg Szydlowski) Schuller of Boulder, CO, Alison (Dan) Lego of Denver, CO, son Brian (Tisha) Schuller of Boulder, CO, and six grandchildren: Megan and Ethan Miller, Matthew Szydlowski, Carter and Alec Schuller and Sophie Lego; his brother Wayne of Mendota Heights, MN, and many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law and dear friends.

A celebration of Norm’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 9 at Geilenfeld Funeral Home, 309 1st Avenue NE, Oelwein, Iowa 50662 with a burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. In addition, a celebration of Norm’s life will be held on Kauai later this summer. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden P.O. Box 1134 Kilauea, HI 96754 or Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 1128, Kilauea, Hawaii 96754.

Nancy Y. Blanton

Nancy Y. Blanton, formerly of Colorado and a resident of Princeville for the past 16 years, passed away at home on March 21, 2016, at the age of 80. She was born in Texas on July 1, 1936, and was a dedicated homemaker.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Jack D. Blanton; one son, Keith (Ela Marie) Blanton; one daughter, Karen (Tim) Kah; three grandchildren, Cassie Kah, Katy Blanton and Alex Kah.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the family.

Matthew Akoni Divina

Matthew Akoni Divina of Hanamaulu passed away at home on March 19, 2016, at the age of 38. He was born in Lihue, Kauai, on December 24, 1977, and worked in the hotel industry.

Matthew is survived by his parents, Anthony and Felicidad Ramelb Divina; two sisters, Shandra (Rudy) Salud, Toni (Butch) Keahiolalo; three nieces, Gabrielle Salud, Sailor Keahiolalo, Liliwai Keahiolalo; numerous aunties, uncles and cousins.

Private services were held.

Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home assisted the Divina family with arrangements.

Germana Gaor Dureg

Germana Gaor Dureg, 83, of Kekaha, Kauai, passed away on March 25, 2016, at Kauai Care Center.

Born on Jan. 10, 1933, in the Philippines, she was a homemaker.

She is survived by her four sons, Dennis (Rowena) Dureg, Darwin (Shirley) Dureg, Franklin (Flora) Dureg, Amante (Luz) Dureg; three daughters, Pros (Al) Pasion, Julie (Frank) Dureg, Elena (Nemesio) Aguinaldo; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family on Friday, April 8, 2016, at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary chapel in Koloa from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and again on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Holy Cross Church in Kalaheo from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., where Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow at Kekaha Public Cemetery.

Borthwick/Kauai Mortuary assisted the family.

Miguel Guerrero

Miguel Guerrero, Jr., 59, of Koloa, passed away on March 30, 2016, at his home in Koloa.

Born on May 11, 1956, in Manila, Philippines, he was a houseman with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.

He is survived by his wife, Melca Birondo Guerrero; son, Aldrine (Heather) Guerrero; daughter, Kathrine (Wade) Francia; three brothers, Celestino (Melinda) Guerrero, Angelito (Megda) Guerrero, Leonardo (Marites) Guerrero; one sister, Marites (Nick) Salvador; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, April 7, 2016, at St. Raphael’s Church in Koloa from 8 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., where Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at St. Raphael’s Church Cemetery.

Borthwick/Kauai Mortuary assisted the family.