Deanna Ree Armstrong

It is with tremendous sadness and joy that we announce the passing of Deanna Ree Armstrong on September 1, 2021. She was 83. Mrs. Armstrong passed peacefully in her sleep and will now join her husband, Wayne W. Armstrong who passed in 2005. Sadness, as we will miss her. Joy, as she is now home with the Lord and her family. Mrs. Armstrong was a 28-year resident of Yucca Valley.

Mrs. Armstrong was born in North Hollywood, CA in 1938. She met Wayne at Fullerton High School. The two eloped to Las Vegas in April of their senior year but kept it a secret until after graduation in June. In their early married life, she helped support her family while Wayne attended college and law school. In 1975 she decided it was her time to get a formal education. She attended Saddleback College with her son, Bob, and then transferred to Cal State Fullerton where she earned a double degree in business and old English literature. She graduated from Fullerton in 1983. After graduation she became the executive director of the Junior Achievement program in Orange County, CA. In her position she mentored teachers and students on how to prepare to enter the work world. She helped thousands of young people get a start in the working world and hundreds of teachers on how to help prepare their students.

Prior to her graduation, Wayne had become the president of Del Taco, Inc. The Armstrong family alsoowned and operated several restaurants in multiple locations including Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms. Mrs. Armstrong was an active part of their restaurant operations and could be found in the office doing accounting and HR work. The family sold their restaurants in 2008. In 1999 the family diversified into the real estate business. Mrs. Armstrong became the office manager.

Mrs. Armstrong had three loves. She had a close relationship with God. She was an active part of her families lives. And she loved music. From an early age she pursued voice and dance lessons. She was a regular soloist at church. She led the children’s choir at Good Shepard as recently as 2019.

Mrs. Armstrong came from a large family. Her full focus in life was to love and cherish her family. Mrs. Armstrong had five sons. Wayne, Dewayne, Robert, John, and Stephen. Wayne has cerebral palsy, has been in an institution most of his life, and lives in Diamond Bar, CA. Dewayne was Wayne’s twin and passed at birth. John was victim of SIDS. Robert (Bob) is a long-time resident of Yucca Valley. Stephen lives in Spring Creek, NV. She is also survived by two daughters in law, two granddaughters, three grandsons, and one great grandson. She is survived by her sister, Rebecca, who lives in Yorba Linda, CA. Multiple cousins and family are spread around the country.

Mrs. Armstrong developed a hunger for travel and had traveled around the world. In her later years she found great joy in traveling with her grandchildren. Prior to her passing she was able to take four of her grandchildren to experience the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany. A favorite of both her and Wayne’s. She had a passion for reading and could consume a book or two a week. She loved Sudoku puzzles. She loved cold weather and rainy days. She enjoyed nice jewelry and fur coats. She always had her nails and hair in perfect condition. She was as classy as they come.

There will be a private, graveside service for the family in Fullerton, CA. In lieu of flowers the family ask donations be made to Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Yucca Valley.