Joseph A. Armbrust, 94, Dickinson, formerly of Belfield, died Wednesday, July 3, 2024 surrounded by his family at CHI St. Alexius, Dickinson. Joseph’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m,. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, with Fr. Shane Campbell as the celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Saturday. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Loren Kordonowy presiding.
Joseph A. Armbrust was born on June 15, 1930, to Kasper and Margareta (Hoerner) Armbrust on the Armbrust homestead in the Fairfield area in Billings County. He attended school at the Glade School in Billings County the first year, then went to Dickinson where he attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School, and then he graduated eighth grade in Billings County.
On October 7, 1952, he married Anna Mae Schlosser-Messer (she was raised by the Messer family), at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. He had met Anna Mae at a dance in Dickinson through a friend. Joe and Anna Mae started their life on the Armbrust homestead after marriage, by milking cows, raising range cattle, and farming. In 1970 Joe also organized Armbrust Sanitation.
Joe was involved in many area and community organizations, and his church of St. Bernard’s in Belfield where he was very active. In the 1950s he was appointed clerk of the Green River voting precinct, then served as judge for 25 years. In 1950 he joined Farmers Union, in the 60s he served on the Farmers Union Board as its president for 25 years. In 1956 Joe was elected to the Board of Directors of the Farmers Union Elevator Board in Belfield where he served as secretary for 14 years. In 1970 when Joe was asked to help organize a KC Council 6310 in the Belfield area. He then served as an officer and as Grand Knight. Joe was the 1989 North Dakota State Knight of the year. He helped organize and served on the Vocations Committee for 20 years, and as District Deputy for three years.
From 1973 to 2019 he served as head usher at St. Bernard’s Parish. In 1976 he helped organize the Billings County Historical Society, having served on the board for 16 years. He took part in organizing the Southwest Community Action Organization in 1976. Joe served on numerous local and diocesan committees. He also served on other organizations such as Germans from Russia Historical Society, Belfield Senior Club, Western Auto Club, Fairfield Community Club, Silver Haired Club, Eagles Club, St. Anthony Club, and the Belfield Sportsman Club. He was a resident of the Evergreen Community for the past four years.
Joe is survived by his children, Kathleen (Roger) Malkowski, Fairfield, Ronald (Donna) Armbrust, Louden, TN, Rosalie (Roger) Decker, Belfield, Timothy (Mary) Armbrust, Belfield, Lela (Duane) Schiwal, Belfield, and Lisa (Tim) Burr, Tucson, AZ; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; sister, Florence Logsden, San Diego, CA; and brother-in-law, Ray and Myrna Messer, Derby, KS.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Mae, August 16, 2001; his parents; brother, Fred (Amy); and sister, Rose (Orville) Kirking.
