Janice "Jan" Rae Armstrong, 66, of Spirit Lake, passed away Jan. 21, 2012, from complications of a stroke. She was born Dec. 14, 1945, to Lloyd and Rubie (Ralls) Johnson, in Sargent, Neb., the youngest of three children. The family moved to a farm near Ontario, Ore., when Jan was a baby. She spent her youth in the Ontario community. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a teaching degree and married Donald "Don" Armstrong in 1967. They were married for 44 happy years, starting out in Huntington and Florence, Ore., and then moving to North Idaho in 1975. 

Jan adored children and spent her life serving them as a teacher and helper. She taught the primary grades for the school districts of Troy and Deary, Idaho, until her retirement in 1998. She also taught as a substitute teacher for many districts and had a special fondness for the Coeur d'Alene Tribal School.

Jan and Don had two children: Amy Jo, in 1972, and Aaron James "A. J." in 1975. The children spent their youth in Bonners Ferry until 1984, and then Potlatch. Jan enjoyed the communities of Bonners Ferry and Potlatch and had many dear friends there. She loved attending the Potlatch Presbyterian Church. In 2009, the Armstrongs moved to Spirit Lake into a house built by their son A. J. Jan enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Don, of Spirit Lake; her daughter, Amy Avery, and grandchildren Hannah and Carson of Spokane Valley; son A. J. and daughter-in-law Kathy and grandson Paden of Post Falls; sister Judy and brother-in-law Eldon Foster of Portland, Ore.; brother Jim and sister-in-law Lorna Johnson of Bozeman, Mont.; Aunt Reba Kerfoot of Caldwell; Aunt Rea and Uncle Oroville Nicholson of Idaho Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Potlatch Presbyterian Church in Potlatch, at a date to be determined. Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Jan's online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign her guest book.