Elsie Mae Armstrong

Elsie Mae Haack Armstrong, 77, was born October 1, 1915 on the family homestead in the Panhandle of Oklahoma near the towns of Slapout, Gate, Rosston, Knowles, Forgan, Beaver and Laverne and departed this life Friday, April 9, 1993, in the Irving Living Center, Irving TX. Elsie was the second child of Clinton Jasper and Ora Ellen Spore Swallow. She grew to womanhood on the farm and attended rural schools, traveling there by horseback. She made the effort to complete high school by moving to Laverne and working for a family living there while attending school. She graduated from the Laverne High School with the class of 1933. That class suvived the dust bowl and the depression. Their pictures hang in the cafeteria of the Laverne School. After graduation Elsie returned to her parent's farm. One of her duties was to man the switchboard for area telephone calls. Yes, this was done from the home of her parents for many years. This rural telephone connection has even been featured in the Daily Oklahoman. This activity led to her meeting a neighbor, Louie Haack, who became her husband. The couple was married January 11, 1938. This prompted a move for Elsie from her birthplace to her new home exactly one mile and 1/2 down the road to Louie's farm. Louie's farm quickly became a joint effort. During this busy time of making a farm work as well as doing farmwork, three children were born: Lou Ann, Clara Ellen and Jimmie Wayne.

In September of 1961, Elsie suffered the trauma of the death of Louie. She remained widowed for five years. Through the prompting of a family member, Elsie renewed a friendship with Eugean Armstrong. After the marriage of Elsie and Eugean, their decision was to move from the farm to a new home in Laverne. This was their home until Gean died on April 28, 1977. After a short time, Elsie decided to move to Oklahoma City to live near a daughter. Since Lou Ann was again single, Elsie and she decided to buy a home together in Bethany. Not long after that Lou Ann remarried and moved. Elsie lived on in Bethany with her son, Jim until he was killed. Elsie continued to live there until May, 1989. At that time, she moved to Dallas TX to live near another daughter, Clara. She maintained that residency until her death.

She was also preceded in death by her father June 17, 1964, a sister, Elnora Martin and her mother on April 2, 1993.

Elsie leaves as her survivors her daughter, Lou Ann and husband Phillip Simpson, Oklahoma City, Clara and her husband, Charles Jackson, Coppell TX; three grandchildren, Mark Bonner, Gregg Bonner and Michelle Miller; a great granddaughter, Allison Bonner; two sisters, Esther Moore, Dodge City and Ethel Black, Logan; her brother, Leonard Swallow, Laverne; neices, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were Monday April 12, 1993 in the Seeger Funeral Chapel, Laverne, with the Rev. Bob Taylor officiating.

Mararette Hendrick was organist and accompanied Bobby Taylor as he sang Beyond The Sunset and Shall We Gather At The River.

Interment was in the Knowles Cemetery.